Arleta Rae Allen’s commitment to community healthcare inspired her decision in 2004 to name the Island Health Foundation as a beneficiary in her will and trust. This generous bequest came six years before Island Health saved her life in 2010. Reflecting on that time, Arleta shared, “I had a stroke in 2010. I was taken by ambulance to Island Health, got the ‘clot blocker’ shot, and then was whisked to Swedish by helicopter. That Island Hospital ER doctor saved my life. She remains a marvel in my eyes.” She added, “I learned what it is to belong to a small, rural hospital community, where one gets a true feeling about the hospital, the way it runs and its providers.”
Arleta’s connection to Island Health began in 1994, during her first up-close encounter when a dear friend was hospitalized there. Later, through the numerous hospitalizations of her partner and love, Don Finsen, Arleta’s bond with Island Hospital deepened. “We grew to love everyone from the cleaning crew to docs and nurses, and knew most of them by name. In between these experiences, I had my stroke. Island Hospital was there for us all.”
Hoping her generosity would inspire others, Arleta also once said, “Get out your pocketbook and write a check, or plan for some other way to feed this vital resource. From birthing through end of life and everything in between, Island Hospital is here for us. Let’s keep it that way!”
Arleta’s passing marks the loss of a beloved advocate and friend. But, her legacy support and unwavering belief in the importance of accessible, quality healthcare will continue to inspire.