Legacies of Love

Mrs. Virginia Kinsey

Mrs. Virginia Kinsey loved dogs. Until her passing in January 2013 she owned and cared for dogs, all of whom came from shelters wherever she and her husband Walter resided. According to her caretaker "she was a big fan of animal shelters as she knew people could obtain a dog at a reasonable cost and it would bring love into a home and to the families."

When Mrs. Kinsey passed away she left more than just a love for animals as her legacy. She established a $500,000 bequest to The Humane Society Naples that will provide care, shelter and adoption services for thousands of orphaned pets in our community for years at our very own local no-kill pet shelter.

Mrs. Kinsey's spirit lives on in each and every one of our pets, volunteers and visitors each day. There is nothing brighter than seeing the joy and happiness on a young family's face when they leave our shelter with their new best friend. The only thing that can compare is knowing that the legacy of Mrs. Kinsey—and others like her—are the ones that can make our efforts on behalf of pets possible.

Lucille Messmer

Lucille Messmer was another caring soul that made a life legacy of caring for others, pets and people alike. During her life, she took the simple steps necessary to include The Humane Society Naples, Shriners Hospital for Children, and the First United Methodist Church of Naples as beneficiaries of her estate plan. Her compassionate gifts of estate will continue to bless the lives of many friends—both two and four-legged—for years.

There is but one life we have to live in this world. The only thing we can do to make sure that those we leave behind have a better life is to leave a legacy of love, compassion and care. Mrs. Kinsey and Mrs. Messmer did just that; they took the steps necessary to plan for those furry friends that brought so much joy to their own lives so that generations after the will be able to experience the joy as well.