Margaret Mason
Charitable Remainder Unitrust

Margaret Mason has made a career out of giving to others and volunteering her time. Her selfless generosity and caring spirit have touched countless lives and people over the years. Margaret, who was born and raised in Michigan, started volunteering during her early 50s and hasn't stopped since.

In 1978, Reverend McQueen, a board member of Crozer Hospital, recruited Margaret to work on a new program at the hospital. Margaret and eleven other volunteers were charged with taking a craft cart around to patients. At a time when hospital stays were longer, this program offered a great source of entertainment to patients.

Margaret, who received an award in 2001 from the Red Cross for working on the blood mobile for 35 years, has been volunteering at Crozer for over 27 years. She is a familiar face in Crozer's Atrium where she spends 9 hours a week lending a helping hand and a smiling face. Margaret feels blessed that she has been able to give so much of her time to the organizations that mean so much to her and gives credit to her late husband, Averill E. Mason, for his understanding and support.

Back in 2000, when Margaret met with her financial advisor, he suggested that she consider making a charitable donation as a way to plan for her future. Margaret immediately thought of Crozer. After talking with the Crozer-Chester Foundation, she decided to create a Charitable Remainder Unitrust for the benefit of Crozer-Chester Medical Center. Margaret now receives annual income from the trust but knows that Crozer will eventually benefit from her thoughtful planning. "I just hope [my gift] will help. I believe we are our brother's keeper. We all need to realize that we have to help each other anyway we can."

Merrill Hayes, M.D.
Portrait of a Memorial Gift

After graduating from Chester High School in 1926, Dr. Merrill Hayes went on to Dartmouth College and Temple Medical School where he earned his M.D. degree in 1934.  After an internship at Episcopal Hospital in Philadelphia and a two-year residency at Temple Hospital, his plans to start a practice back in Chester were put on hold while he spent five years in the Army Medical Corps from 1940 through 1945.

As one of Chester’s well-respected otolaryngologist, Dr. Hayes served in a number of leadership positions at Crozer-Chester Medical Center.  He also served as the President of the Delaware County Medical Society, the President of the Pennsylvania Academy of Otolaryngology and Ophthalmology, the Director of the Delaware County Unit of the American Cancer Society, and the Chairman of the Pennsylvania Commission on Conservation of Hearing. 

After thirty years of practice, Dr. Hayes retired in 1975 and moved to the Eastern Shore to enjoy some well-deserved rest and relaxation.  After Dr. Hayes passed away in 1998, his wife, daughter and son wanted to honor his years of service to the Chester medical community.  After talking with our Foundation office, they learned of Crozer’s plans to build a new emergency department and that a room would be designated within that new facility for the care and treatment of disorders of the ear, nose and throat, her husband’s specialty.  Dr. Hayes’ family decided that naming the ENT room in his name was a fitting tribute to his many years of dedicated service to Crozer and made an early major leadership gift in support of the emergency department project. 

When the new emergency department opens its doors, a plaque that bears the name of Dr. Merrill Hayes will be in a prominent location within the emergency department to recognize Dr. Hayes’ legacy at Crozer and the thoughtful memorial gift that was made by his family.