Donor Stories—Klein

A Gift Annuity Is a Good Investment

Ilse Klein began work as a nurse at Huntington Hospital in 1940, a career that eventually spanned over four decades of service. A walk down memory lane included some notable things: "We sang Christmas carols in Miss Hutchison's office, we used open IV bottles and direct person-to-person blood transfusions, and there was no penicillin!" Since retiring, she has been an enthusiastic volunteer for over 20 years.

Ilse's late husband of 59 years, Willard Klein, built the home in which she now resides, one block away from the Hospital. All of her three children and five grandchildren were born in Huntington Hospital; she also has four great-grandchildren. Ilse was one of six children—with four older brothers and a younger sister—raised by her mother after her father passed away.

At 91 years young, Ilse Klein funded a charitable gift annuity for the benefit of Huntington Hospital, one of 14 hospitals in the Northwell Health Foundation. She decided a gift annuity was a good investment—she will receive a fixed income stream for the rest of her life, and then provide for the Hospital that continues to play such a large role in her life. In her spare time, Ilse enjoys playing bridge, going to movies with her granddaughter, and traveling to Europe.