Donor Stories-Slone

The Slone Family – Supporting Women’s Health

“We hope to make a difference in peoples’ lives, with a special focus on quality health care.” —Merry and Richard Slone

Native New Yorkers Merry and Richard Slone are active, family-focused philanthropists. Separated in childhood by the Interboro Parkway, Merry and Richard have been happily married for 57 years and are parents to three girls: Tara Slone Goldstein, Ondine Slone Miranda and Lauren Slone Leighton. Their daughters, married respectively to Wayne, Michael and David, have given Merry and Richard seven beautiful grandchildren who bring joy to their hearts.

Merry and Richard hope their philanthropy serves as an example to others. They have chosen to express their gratitude for the excellent health care Merry and other family members have received by supporting the Katz Institute for Women’s Health and Katz Women’s Hospital. Their patronage of these Northwell Health programs and facilities helps to ensure that first-rate care will continue to be available to others.

Merry and Richard have generously given in a number of ways. Some of their gifts have been in cash, others come through the Slone Family Foundation, and some will be funded in the future from several charitable gift annuities—which provide a fixed income stream to Merry and Richard for life. Merry also gives her time as an active member of the Partners Council for Women’s Health and a sponsor of Ladies’ Day Out.

Inspired by their parents—all four of whom were college educated and had advanced degrees—Merry and Richard are proud of the educational backgrounds and the foundation they established for their family. Merry attended Queens College where she graduated with a bachelor’s degree, Phi Beta Kappa. She then earned a master’s in science in criminal justice and a master’s in public health from C.W. Post. Richard received a bachelor’s degree from Columbia College, where he graduated Phi Beta Kappa, Magna Cum Laude. He earned his master’s degree in business from New York University Graduate School of Business, where he was elected into Beta Gamma Sigma and Omicron Delta Epsilon and earned a law degree from Brooklyn Law School where he was editor of the Law Review.

Merry and Richard have influenced their own children with their dedication to philanthropy. Individually and through their foundation, Merry and Richard actively support the UJA-Federation of New York, National Multiple Sclerosis Society and M.S. Research, The Viscardi Center and many other charitable causes throughout New York and in Israel. As a result of their widespread support, their daughters continue the family’s commitment to philanthropy. Tara serves as president on the board of directors of The Jewish Education project, Ondine and Michael are founders of Jack’s Run for Autism Awareness and Lauren is involved in projects at the Coachman Family Center—a homeless shelter in White Plains. All three also serve as directors of the Slone Family Foundation.

Merry is committed to their families’ many charitable contributions. “We hope to make a difference in peoples’ lives,” she said. “With a special focus on helping to provide quality health care,” Richard added. Through their gifts to Northwell Health, the Slone family will continue to do so for a very long time.

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