Contributors
Bayhealth Foundation

A teacher's lesson in giving back

Helen Macklin Holleger spent most of her childhood in Georgetown. After graduating from the University of Delaware in 1953, she moved to Milford, where she was employed by the Milford School District as an elementary school teacher for many years. Shortly after launching her career, Helen met her husband, Francis E. “Hump” Holleger, a Korean War veteran. He had just returned home to Milford after serving four years in the Air Force. They married in 1956 and their son Steven, or “Stevie,” as she called him, was born at Milford Memorial Hospital.

“I am grateful for Milford Memorial Hospital, where my family’s medical needs were met for many years,” said Helen. She still remembers the personalized care they received from longtime Milford Memorial Hospital physician Lawrence Fitchett, MD. “He and his wife sent a gold diaper pin home as a gift after Stevie was born,” she recalled. In addition, she appreciated the small community feel of the hospital. “Stevie was a special needs child.

Throughout his short life, John Annand, MD, made home visits to check on Stevie. I also taught several of Dr. Annand’s children at Lulu M. Ross Elementary School.”

After the loss of both her son and husband, Helen took great comfort in doing something to benefit others in the community. Through the Bayhealth Foundation, Helen decided to include the Bayhealth Hospital and Outpatient Center, Sussex Campus in her estate plan.

“I hope to play a part in making it possible for young families to have a new place where babies can be birthed, staff and patient relationships can be developed, and most medical, surgical and rehabilitative needs can be met in a caring environment for many years to come.”

Helen’s gift also enables her to name an Outpatient Rehabilitation treatment bay in her son’s memory and the Dialysis bay in the hospital in her husband’s memory.

For more information on how to make a difference with your donation, visit the Bayhealth Foundation page or call the Bayhealth Foundation at 302-744-7015.

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