Longtime supporters’ bequest destined to impact lives
photo: Bill RichLucy and Leonard Muskin
An outstanding naval aviator who was awarded two Navy Crosses, Leonard Muskin died July 5, 2008 the day after he turned 88. Many years ago, he and his late wife, Lucy, decided to support several charities through their estate. When the couple chose to support medical research, they sought the counsel of their long-time friend and estate planner, John Saunders.
“I met Lucy and Leonard years ago, and I knew for a long time that they wanted to create a specific legacy,” Saunders said. “That’s when the idea of City of Hope came to mind. I knew the Muskins had been annual City of Hope donors, but their commitment to furthering the institution’s world-renowned medical research and treatment programs with such a large gift was truly inspirational to me.”
Saunders has a heartfelt, personal connection to City of Hope. His mother, Faith Saunders, is a longtime member of California’s Camarillo Chapter, as was his late father, Lou Saunders. Their personal ties to the institution instilled a deep commitment in him to its humanitarian mission. He supports the institution through City of Hope’s Los Angeles Real Estate & Construction Industries Council.
City of Hope was among the extensive list of charities he prepared for the couple’s consideration. They were so moved by the institution’s work that they committed their bequest to City of Hope.
Other charities benefiting from the Muskin estate include the Junior Blind of America and International Planned Parenthood Federation.
In honor of the couple’s gift, a garden was dedicated to Lucy and Leonard Muskin near the entrance to City of Hope Helford Clinical Research Hospital.