Her giving spirit will have a lasting impact
Eveline Schuster cared deeply for others.
She has left an imprint on her community that lives on in the people she touched and the causes she supported.
That imprint can be heard in the many memories that decades of her highschool students and teacher colleagues have of “Miss Schuster.”
It can be seen in the many testimonials that we have read and heard about since her passing in 2014.
And Eveline’s impact will carry on through a $2 million-plus bequest to the Royal University Hospital Foundation, the largest private gift from an individual received by the Foundation in its 34-year history. Her generous donation created the Innovation Fund that supported new work through the Saskatoon Health Region 90 Day Challenge, helped fund the purchase and installation of the advanced angiography biplane suite and equipment (enabling RUH to provide life-saving treatment for traumatic bleeding, brain aneurysms and strokes) and will support state-of-the-art emergency and critical care equipment and education today and in the future.
“Eveline lived a simple, private life,” says former neighbour Cecille Martell. “She was overjoyed with other people’s successes and wanted nothing more than to see their accomplishments. Material possessions were not important. She was a lady with a big heart filled with kindness and love for humankind.”
Eveline Schuster was born in 1934 and passed away from cancer at age 79. Raised in and near Humboldt in somewhat meagre home circumstances, at school she shone. A straight-A student, eventually she became a “natural” teacher who inspired a generation of students to learn more, aim higher and believe in themselves.
“Driven, confident and professional, she lived a humble life, worked hard, and was one of the most genuine people I have ever known,” recalls Sherri Hildebrandt, a student of Eveline’s from 1982–1986 at Hague High School. “I would describe her as a bit eccentric. Never concerned about what others thought of her— her fashion sense, or what kind of car she drove. She had a great sense of humour and was passionate about learning and teaching.”
“Her classes were thoughtprovoking, entertaining and educational. I still remember sitting in her class, having great debates and discussions about the meaning of life or about what messages authors were trying to convey,” reflects Sherri Hildebrandt.
In retirement, Eveline volunteered for Royal University Hospital. In this and other ways, and after inspiring a generation of students, her loving and giving spirit will continue to benefit her community.
Eveline’s generous bequest to RUH Foundation will make a real difference. It will help save patients’ lives, help further educate physicians and nurses and create a safer work environment. She herself had a lasting impact on the many lives she touched throughout her teaching career and other endeavours, and now Eveline Schuster similarly will continue to positively affect the lives of many – patients and health professionals alike – at RUH.
To learn more about how to include RUH Foundation in your estate plans, please contact Candace Boersma, RUH Foundation’s Annual and Legacy Giving Officer, at 306-655-6501.