17 September 2024
Growing up with a lawyer for a dad meant North Shore doctor Ainsley Goodman has always been aware of the importance of having a Will.
Her father Vic Goodman helped people with their wills, as well as conveyancing, over a career that spanned five decades, and Ainsley remembers her father as being very community focused, also serving as Mayor of Marton for several years and volunteering at the CAB in Takapuna. “He would go out in his car all hours of the day and night to help people.”
Vic would sometimes be called into Harbour Hospice at short notice to write wills for patients at the end of life, too. Ainsley remembers him prioritising these calls, often speaking to the person, typing the will and returning for a signature the same day, with his wife Bev as a witness.
In June 2023 Vic Goodman, 81, died in Harbour Hospice care, and the family’s experience left such an imprint on Ainsley she amended her will to leave a bequest to Harbour Hospice, using one of Hospice’s legal partners, Schnauer & Co – a firm her father had great trust in.
Ainsley says, “Dad was in hospice care for his final 24 hours. From the moment we arrived all staff and volunteers were amazing - the nurses were compassionate, kind and most importantly maintained Dad’s dignity and comfort. Nothing was too much trouble. So, I will always be grateful to Hospice. Leaving them something in my will to contribute towards the ongoing wonderful service, so that others can have that same level of care, is the very least I can do.”
September is Wills Month. Lawyers Schnauer & Co, Simpson Western North, Denham Bramwell and Paxton-Penman et al have partnered with Harbour Hospice for a special September offer. They will create or amend a simple will for you, free of charge, when you include a Gift in your Will to Harbour Hospice. When you leave a gift in your Will to Harbour Hospice you’re ensuring that hospice care will be there for generations to come.
For more information, contact Suzie Smith on 021 226 2741 or email suzie.smith@harbourhospice.org.nz
