Changing Lives Long After Her Own

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Dave and Norma Jean Wiley

Dave and Norma Jean Wiley

By Sandra Bretting

In the mid-1970s, when young Lee Edward Ellis of Houston contracted Burkitt's lymphoma-a rare form of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma-treatment options were limited. Today, 30 years later, the disease has more than an 80 percent survival rate.

Thanks to a recent $1 million donation from the estate of Norma Jean Wiley, Texas Children's hopes to improve those odds even more.

Jean Wiley, as she preferred to be called, passed away in Houston in May 2009, but never forgot the care her young relative, Lee, received at Texas Children's before his death in 1977. Touched by the people she met while visiting him, she decided to remember the hospital in her will.

"Jean was a very bottom-line type of person and she wasn't easily impressed," said Sam Gainer, the estate's independent executor and a family friend. "For her to be so taken with what she saw, it had to be extraordinary."

Wiley's generous gift will be used to support programs and fund research related to leukemia and certain blood disorders.

"Texas Children's has been at the forefront of pediatric cancer research and treatment, but this gift will allow us to do even more," said David Poplack, M.D., director of Texas Children's Cancer Center. "There are cutting-edge studies taking place here that will change the way we treat these diseases, giving hope to even more parents and children."

Currently, the Cancer Center is involved in more than 260 clinical trials to determine the safety and effectiveness of drug treatments used to help children with pediatric cancer.

"If even one parent can be spared the anguish of losing a child, it will be wonderful," said Janie Ellis, Lee's mother. "I'm so thrilled the gift will be used to fund cancer research. In fact, October marks the 32nd anniversary of my son's passing, so this gift is particularly meaningful."

Married for many years to her husband, Dave, founder of industrial parts supplier Wilco Supply of Houston, Wiley enjoyed serving as honorary "aunt" to Lee. She had been one of the last surviving relatives of Lee's parents, Janie and Jim.

"We have a very small family and there's no doubt she loved Lee," Janie said. "But I was still overwhelmed by this gift and her generosity."

Texas Children's Hospital has been ranked the number one children's hospital for pediatric cancer care in Texas this year and the fourth best in the nation by U.S. News & World Report.

"No matter what—first and foremost—it's about treating the children," said Poplack. "And gifts like this allow us to care for even more children in incredibly innovative ways."

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Information contained herein was accurate at the time of posting. The information on this website is not intended as legal or tax advice. For such advice, please consult an attorney or tax advisor. Figures cited in any examples are for illustrative purposes only. References to tax rates include federal taxes only and are subject to change. State law may further impact your individual results. California residents: Annuities are subject to regulation by the State of California. Payments under such agreements, however, are not protected or otherwise guaranteed by any government agency or the California Life and Health Insurance Guarantee Association. Oklahoma residents: A charitable gift annuity is not regulated by the Oklahoma Insurance Department and is not protected by a guaranty association affiliated with the Oklahoma Insurance Department. South Dakota residents: Charitable gift annuities are not regulated by and are not under the jurisdiction of the South Dakota Division of Insurance.

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A charitable bequest is one or two sentences in your will or living trust that leave to Texas Children's Hospital a specific item, an amount of money, a gift contingent upon certain events or a percentage of your estate.

an individual or organization designated to receive benefits or funds under a will or other contract, such as an insurance policy, trust or retirement plan

"I give to Texas Children's Hospital, a nonprofit corporation currently located at Houston, TX, or its successor thereto, ______________ [written amount or percentage of the estate or description of property] for its unrestricted use and purpose."

able to be changed or cancelled

A revocable living trust is set up during your lifetime and can be revoked at any time before death. They allow assets held in the trust to pass directly to beneficiaries without probate court proceedings and can also reduce federal estate taxes.

cannot be changed or cancelled

tax on gifts generally paid by the person making the gift rather than the recipient

the original value of an asset, such as stock, before its appreciation or depreciation

the growth in value of an asset like stock or real estate since the original purchase

the price a willing buyer and willing seller can agree on

The person receiving the gift annuity payments.

the part of an estate left after debts, taxes and specific bequests have been paid

a written and properly witnessed legal change to a will

the person named in a will to manage the estate, collect the property, pay any debt, and distribute property according to the will

A donor advised fund is an account that you set up but which is managed by a nonprofit organization. You contribute to the account, which grows tax-free. You can recommend how much (and how often) you want to distribute money from that fund to Texas Children's Hospital or other charities. You cannot direct the gifts.

An endowed gift can create a new endowment or add to an existing endowment. The principal of the endowment is invested and a portion of the principal’s earnings are used each year to support our mission.

Tax on the growth in value of an asset—such as real estate or stock—since its original purchase.

Securities, real estate or any other property having a fair market value greater than its original purchase price.

Real estate can be a personal residence, vacation home, timeshare property, farm, commercial property or undeveloped land.

A charitable remainder trust provides you or other named individuals income each year for life or a period not exceeding 20 years from assets you give to the trust you create.

You give assets to a trust that pays our organization set payments for a number of years, which you choose. The longer the length of time, the better the potential tax savings to you. When the term is up, the remaining trust assets go to you, your family or other beneficiaries you select. This is an excellent way to transfer property to family members at a minimal cost.

You fund this type of trust with cash or appreciated assets—and may qualify for a federal income tax charitable deduction when you itemize. You can also make additional gifts; each one also qualifies for a tax deduction. The trust pays you, each year, a variable amount based on a fixed percentage of the fair market value of the trust assets. When the trust terminates, the remaining principal goes to Texas Children's Hospital as a lump sum.

You fund this trust with cash or appreciated assets—and may qualify for a federal income tax charitable deduction when you itemize. Each year the trust pays you or another named individual the same dollar amount you choose at the start. When the trust terminates, the remaining principal goes to Texas Children's Hospital as a lump sum.

A beneficiary designation clearly identifies how specific assets will be distributed after your death.

A charitable gift annuity involves a simple contract between you and Texas Children's Hospital where you agree to make a gift to Texas Children's Hospital and we, in return, agree to pay you (and someone else, if you choose) a fixed amount each year for the rest of your life.
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