A 101-year-old Edmonton widow is in a battle with an international non-profit over which charities her late husband’s $40 million should benefit.
Steve McEachern named the Rotary Foundation Canada in his will as the beneficiary to his $40-million estate, apart from his widow’s living expenses. Mary McEachern said her late husband changed his mind but couldn’t amend his will before he died at 99 years of age in September 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. The plan, she said, was for the estate to be shared with multiple charities in Canada, including several in Edmonton and Alberta.
Rotary Canada was offered $13 million, but the organization continues to fight Mary in court over Steve’s estate.
Mary wants Rotary to back down and respect her late husband’s wishes. She offered the Canadian group $13 million, saying her and her husband’s lifetime savings should be spread out to support more Canadian charities instead of one charity doing work overseas.
“I miss him very much. And as far as I’m concerned, we both decided this is the way we wanted the money to go, to help people in our part of the world,” she told Postmedia in an interview. “I’m talking about real people in our part of the world who are helping our people, and that’s what he wanted.”
Steve McEachern made his fortune working for Investors Group Wealth Management where he worked for 65 years. He was a longtime Rotarian and donor to multiple charities and held volunteer board positions.
Despite his longtime Rotary membership, Mary said the charity hasn’t offered condolences. Instead, they have taken her to court and sought affidavits, saying she is unfit to handle his estate.
Mary’s family helped launch a campaign website in hopes of halting the legal battle and “delay tactics” to prevent her from donating funds to other local organizations in need.
“I can’t believe that Rotary could be so mean and so greedy and tell lies about me,” Mary McEachern said. “They never said they were sorry (when he died) … I just felt terrible about it.
“As far as I’m concerned, all they are doing is delay tactics asking how much money I have in the bank.”
The plan is for Steve’s estate, on Mary’s death, to be shared with local and national charities: STARS, Hope Mission, Edmonton Humane Society, the Mustard Seed Foundation, The Salvation Army in Alberta and northern territories, St John Council for Alberta, University Hospital Foundation, Edmonton Public Schools: Strathcona High School, and a bursary in Mary’s name for nursing graduate students at the University of Alberta.
Other Canadian charities she hopes to benefit include the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada for Alberta and northern territories, Alzheimer Society of Canada, Cowichan Valley Hospice Society, Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, Parkinson Canada, Canadian Guide Dogs for the Blind, CNIB Foundation and Wings of Providence.
Eva Vida, president of the Rotary Foundation Canada, acknowledged Steve and Mary were major donors. Asked if the Rotary is hoping to work something out or continue the legal battle, Vida pointed to Steve’s will.
“As is often the case with many Rotary members, Mr. McEachern named The Rotary Foundation Canada as a beneficiary in his last will for the purpose of supporting Rotary’s humanitarian programs,” Vida wrote in a statement.
“We regret that this issue is still with the courts and look forward to a timely and reasonable resolution while still honouring Mr. McEachern’s lifelong dedication to Rotary.”
Vida said the foundation is known for financial efficacy and transparency, and donations to Canadian Rotary clubs help members address urgent economic and community development issues, disease prevention and treatment, the environment, basic education and peace.
During his life, Steve McEachern held board positions at the Rotary Club Southside and the University of Alberta Hospital Foundation, donated to the Air Force Commemorative Site at the Village at Griesbach, AISH, Investment Club Prime Time Group, 4-H Foundation, Edmonton Community Foundation, Scona Memorial for Veterans, among other accomplishments.
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