Colleen Conway-Welch lived life to the fullest, even long after her diagnosis with pancreatic cancer. She was strong; she was committed; she knew what was important and how to get it done.

In the last year, Colleen chose to dedicate her energies, in part, to a program within The Women’s Fund of The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee called Women Will. Colleen knew that women could make a huge difference to this community during their lives and in their estate plans. She wrote, “In my will, I have the opportunity to leave my things to charity, and I have carried through with making sure the gift I made so long ago will help Tennessee women and girls in need.”

She loved the fact that gifts of real estate, cash, stock, and personal property like jewelry could expand her capacity to help. Colleen believed that the that “there but for the Grace of God I go.” And she relished the fact that with The Community Foundation, she could call the shots, her options were endless, and her intentions would always be protected.

Colleen will certainly be missed.


A message written on May 23, 2018 from Colleen ConwayWelch:

“About 25 years ago, I made a gift to the newly formed The Women’s Fund. That gift was to come through my estate plans … and fortunately, The Women’s Fund has not yet received it. But what I knew then, and know now, is the peace of mind that comes with making such a gift.

“Like so many of my women friends — and, for that matter, male friends who have become widowers — several years ago, when I lost my husband I was left with a host of elephant statues, beautiful furniture, other possessions like insurance policies, and some jewelry. In my Will, I have the opportunity to leave my things to people or to charity and I have carried through with making sure the gift I made so long ago will help Tennessee women and girls in need, in perpetuity.

Recently, I discovered that The Women’s Fund and The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee can handle all of these potential gifts: real estate, cash, stock, and “stuff”, and I wanted to share the fact that it can make your life easier and more meaningful. I learned both these things from my late friend, Kitty Moon Emery, who proved that things you won’t be around to enjoy any more and your family don’t want or need are a wonderful way to make the path easier for women and girls or for any charitable endeavor.

I hope in your Will you will add The Women’s Fund to those who will benefit: the women and
girls of Middle Tennessee. Their needs could have been ours, and we should never forget that “there but for the Grace of God go I.”

But if The Women’s Fund isn’t your cup of tea, consider a scholarship or a fund to benefit a favorite charity or community or a charitable purpose … with The Community Foundation the options are endless and the opportunity to help even more so…


Learn More About Women Will