Planting a Beautiful Legacy

There are many joys we encounter as we help our clients pursue what matters most. However, it is always difficult when one of our beloved clients passes away. When assisting to plan for their legacy, it is inevitable that the time will come when we need to execute that plan, but it is never easy.

Lori Mann was the first of a long lineage of Wahl family members to Kemp Financial Management over two decades ago. Soon after becoming a client, she introduced us to her parents, David and Linda Wahl. More recently, we were also introduced to Lori’s brother, Darrin. While working with multiple family members is not new to KFM, the Wahl family has demonstrated the joy and love of being a close-knit family. We have enjoyed getting to know each of them over the years and have enjoyed watching how they continue to honor their loved ones.

Linda was a talented homemaker and a member of many committees and boards over the years- one of which was Rowntree Gardens (formerly Quaker Gardens). She told her children that if she ever needed care that is where she wanted to be. That time came in 2019 and on August 26th, 2022, Linda passed away.

Lori and Darrin wanted to honor their mother in a way that stayed true to the things she loved, as well as be of benefit to others. Without knowing it, they each thought of the same idea- and when they shared it with each other, that was just the confirmation they needed to know that this was something their mom would have wanted.

Lori and Darrin wanted to honor their mom’s legacy at Rowntree. They contacted The Community Life Director and simply asked, “What’s needed?”. They were able to donate new patio furniture, benches, and storage lockers for the staff. A special bench was placed in front of the hibiscus bush. The staff remembers how Linda loved the hibiscus and would often pluck a fresh bloom in the summer when it was full.

Additionally, many new plantings and trees are still being put in to enhance the already beautiful grounds there. The final project honoring Linda is a “memory stone garden.” Linda was battling Alzheimer’s in her later years and the memory care portion of Roundtree is special to the Wahl family. Patients will be decorating stones in remembrance of patients that have passed.

We are so thankful for the years we had with Linda as part of the Kempville family and for the time we also had with David. Thank you Lori and Darrin for taking the time to share with us.