Blue Slipper Stories - Winter, 2024

WINTER 2024

Blue Slipper

WIDOWS’ GUILD

STORIES

GREETINGS from LINDA JACKSON Director of Philanthropic and Widows Support Happy New Year! I hope your holidays were merry, bright and filled with joy.

The new year brings an opportunity to reflect upon the past year, and if needed, adjust and set goals for the year ahead.

If one of your goals has been to join the Masonic Widows’ Guild, now is the time.

Each year, we extend this invitation for you to join with over 1,600 women and enjoy the benefits and fellowship of membership. There are never fees or other obligations associated with becoming a member of the Widows’ Guild.

As a member of the Widows’ Guild, you will receive your Blue Slipper pin and have access to programs and services through the Masonic Outreach Program, such as home assistance for widows experiencing a financial hardship, a loan closet with durable medical equipment and access to a qualified panel of legal and financial professionals. Throughout the year, you will receive communications and

correspondence with messages specific to Masonic widows and invitations to Widows’ Guild luncheons in your area.

The Blue Slipper Stories newsletter, published twice a year, will keep you up to date with interesting articles and inspirational stories to help connect you to us. In this issue, we feature a Masonic widow who received assistance through the Outreach Program.

Do you have an interest in living at one of our Masonic Village locations? We can direct you to the appropriate department or person who can answer your questions, schedule a tour and send you information about all Masonic Village has to offer.

The Widows’ Guild Directory is a listing of contact information by Pennsylvania county and out-of-state Guild members. Many women use this directory to stay in touch with others and build relationships based on this special bond.

I hope you will be moved to reach out and join this special group of ladies. Please contact me at 717-367-1121, ext.

33497, or lmjackson@masonicvillage.org. You may also visit PAGrandLodge.org/outreach/support-for-widows.

Stay safe and stay well!

Florida, Deborah was processing the loss of her husband and provider. She didn’t know what to do.

She was surprised to learn about the Masonic Widows’ Guild and that she did not have to live in Pennsylvania to receive support through the Masonic Charities.

MAKING IT WORK

After initially contacting her husband’s lodge in Pennsylvania about his passing, one of his Masonic brothers reached out to the Widows’ Guild on Deborah’s behalf. She received a Blue Slipper Stories newsletter, as well as a blue slipper membership pin. Soon after, she accepted an invitation to attend a local Widows’ Guild luncheon. After reading about another widow who received assistance after her heater malfunctioned, Deborah decided to apply for assistance through the Masonic Outreach Program to help offset the financial burdens she was facing. She was thankful to receive grocery gift cards to help make her monthly ends meet for a year.

Thanks to a Special Gift “That help was a grateful blessing,” One of the reasons the late Brother William “Bill” Milliron joined the Masonic fraternity, according to his wife, Deborah, was because he knew if anything ever happened to him, his brothers would take good care of her.

“I didn’t know what he was talking about at the time,” Deborah said. “We were married 47 years, and he was older than me. He was a very good, protective, wonderful father and husband. We were really blessed.”

Thanks to Bill’s fraternal membership at Infinity Lodge No. 546, Penn Hills, Deborah did in fact have that support when she found herself in a tough situation during the COVID-19 pandemic. Shortly after Bill passed away unexpectedly from a stroke during surgery, Deborah suffered a financial hardship when she learned her homeowner’s insurance would be canceled unless she replaced her roof. Having moved from Pennsylvania to be near her daughter in Ocala,

Deborah said. “I was able to stay afloat.”

Deborah, a retired medical salesperson who also has a son in Ohio, is now hoping to connect with other widows of Masons for fellowship and support.

“If there’s any type of group meetup, or if anyone wants to talk to me or have me volunteer for anything, I’m willing to help anyone,” she said.

For Deborah, it’s a way of paying it forward, while continuing to honor her husband.

“After he [Bill] passed, I couldn’t even breathe for a while. I couldn’t get air in me,” she said.

“But if you have a need, the Widows’ Guild will help you. They have been very gracious, and I’m very thankful.”

Masonic Memory Pillows Marlene Morrow, Masonic Widows’ Guild member, used her late husband’s Masonic neckties to sew special pillows for two of his Masonic brothers. To make your own pillow, simply search online for “Memory Necktie Pillow” to find many pattern options. “I thought I’d share this idea with other Masonic widows,” Marlene said. “They are easy to make, as well.”

As a Masonic widow, you’re automatically a member of the MASONIC BLOOD+ORGAN DONOR PROGRAM. Our program helps Masonic organizations host blood drives across Pennsylvania and provides education on blood and organ donation. The services we provide are only possible because of generous donors.

B EN EF ITS O F YO U R MEMBERS H IP • I f you receive a blood transfusion, you can be

reimbursed for expenses not covered by insurance.

• S hould you or a family member need a life-saving

organ, our program will offer support and education as you navigate the organ transplant process.

Being a member of our program doesn’t make you an organ donor. Register at DonateLifePA.org.

To learn more, visit MasonicBloodandOrganDonors.org or call 215-988-1958.

WIDOWS’ GUILD EVENTS

Widows’ Guild event in York on Oct. 19, 2023

New Widows’ Guild Members

Leave a Legacy: Please consider including the Masonic Charities in your Will or estate plan.

Masonic Widows’ Guild Program 12 Village Green Drive Elizabethtown, PA 17022

Blue Slipper STORIES

W ID OWS ’ GU I LD NEWSL ET T ER | WINT ER 20 24

CONTACT US If you or someone you know is interested in the services offered by the Masonic Outreach Program, please contact us:

MASONIC OUTREACH PROGRAM One Masonic Drive Elizabethtown, PA 17022 1-800-462-7664 outreach@masonicvillages.org PAGrandLodge.org/outreach If you want to be removed from our mailing list, please contact us and let us know.

View our charitable solicitation disclosures by scanning the QR code or visiting MasonicCharitiesPa.org.

IN THIS ISSUE ...

• GREETINGS FROM LINDA JACKSON •M AKING IT WORK

THANKS TO A SPECIAL GIFT

• MASONIC MEMORY PILLOWS •W IDOWS’ GUILD EVENTS The Pennsylvania Masonic Widows’ Guild is in place to recognize, honor and support the widows of Pennsylvania Masons. If you have questions about the Widows’ Guild or would like to become a member and receive your blue slipper pin, please call Director of Philanthropic and Widows Support Linda Jackson at 1-800-599-6454 or email lmjackson@masonicvillages.org.