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A Ministry of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace

Donor’s Gift Helps Carry on Mission

Irene Graessle

A gift from the estate of the late Irene Graessle will benefit SJSB for years to come.

Born Aug. 14, 1920 in Irvington, New Jersey, Irene Graessle kept the mission of St. Joseph’s School for the Blind close to her heart until her passing in 2016. Today, her legacy continues through a generous gift in an estate plan that she established for the children she loved.

Who was this generous and compassionate woman? To family and friends, Irene is best described as a “renaissance” woman.

A dedicated employee of Kraft Foods, Irene retired after 46 years of exemplary service. It was her artistic endeavors and community service, however, that set her apart and brought her great joy and accomplishment.

Irene was a member of the Guild of American Papercutters and gifted in the art of scherenschnitte, a traditional craft where entire scenes are often cut from a single piece of paper. As an acclaimed artist, Irene was invited to demonstrate her work at the National Museum of Women in the Arts in Washington, D.C. Artistically and musically talented, Irene was also a founding member of the Union Harmonica Band in 1953. She served for a time as the band’s director until 2010 when she resigned her post.

Throughout her lifetime, Irene knew true happiness through a giving spirit. She was a loyal member of the Faith United Church of Christ and was active in the youth ministry and Elderhostel services. She was also an ardent knitter for the Seamen’s Church Institute, providing caps and scarves for those serving on ships.

To the children of St. Joseph’s School for the Blind, Irene is a donor they will never meet but a friend they will know and honor through her generosity. Her gift will help provide needed funding to enhance the specialized programs and services that children who are blind, visually impaired and multiply disabled require to “Be All That They Can Be!”

Make a Big Impact

Like Irene, you can leave a gift in your estate plan to assist future students at SJSB. Contact David Feinhals at 201-876-5432 ext. 1244 or dfeinhals@schoolfortheblind.org to learn about your giving options.

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Information contained herein was accurate at the time of posting. The information on this website is not intended as legal or tax advice. For such advice, please consult an attorney or tax advisor. Figures cited in any examples are for illustrative purposes only. References to tax rates include federal taxes only and are subject to change. State law may further impact your individual results. California residents: Annuities are subject to regulation by the State of California. Payments under such agreements, however, are not protected or otherwise guaranteed by any government agency or the California Life and Health Insurance Guarantee Association. Oklahoma residents: A charitable gift annuity is not regulated by the Oklahoma Insurance Department and is not protected by a guaranty association affiliated with the Oklahoma Insurance Department. South Dakota residents: Charitable gift annuities are not regulated by and are not under the jurisdiction of the South Dakota Division of Insurance.

A charitable bequest is one or two sentences in your will or living trust that leave to St. Joseph's School for the Blind a specific item, an amount of money, a gift contingent upon certain events or a percentage of your estate.

an individual or organization designated to receive benefits or funds under a will or other contract, such as an insurance policy, trust or retirement plan

"I, [name], of [city, state ZIP], give, devise and bequeath to ST. JOSEPH'S SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND [written amount or percentage of the estate or description of property] for its unrestricted use and purpose"

able to be changed or cancelled

A revocable living trust is set up during your lifetime and can be revoked at any time before death. They allow assets held in the trust to pass directly to beneficiaries without probate court proceedings and can also reduce federal estate taxes.

cannot be changed or cancelled

tax on gifts generally paid by the person making the gift rather than the recipient

the original value of an asset, such as stock, before its appreciation or depreciation

the growth in value of an asset like stock or real estate since the original purchase

the price a willing buyer and willing seller can agree on

The person receiving the gift annuity payments.

the part of an estate left after debts, taxes and specific bequests have been paid

a written and properly witnessed legal change to a will

the person named in a will to manage the estate, collect the property, pay any debt, and distribute property according to the will

A donor advised fund is an account that you set up but which is managed by a nonprofit organization. You contribute to the account, which grows tax-free. You can recommend how much (and how often) you want to distribute money from that fund to St. Joseph's or other charities. You cannot direct the gifts.

An endowed gift can create a new endowment or add to an existing endowment. The principal of the endowment is invested and a portion of the principal’s earnings are used each year to support our mission.

Tax on the growth in value of an asset—such as real estate or stock—since its original purchase.

Securities, real estate or any other property having a fair market value greater than its original purchase price.

Real estate can be a personal residence, vacation home, timeshare property, farm, commercial property or undeveloped land.

A charitable remainder trust provides you or other named individuals income each year for life or a period not exceeding 20 years from assets you give to the trust you create.

You give assets to a trust that pays our organization set payments for a number of years, which you choose. The longer the length of time, the better the potential tax savings to you. When the term is up, the remaining trust assets go to you, your family or other beneficiaries you select. This is an excellent way to transfer property to family members at a minimal cost.

You fund this type of trust with cash or appreciated assets—and may qualify for a federal income tax charitable deduction when you itemize. You can also make additional gifts; each one also qualifies for a tax deduction. The trust pays you, each year, a variable amount based on a fixed percentage of the fair market value of the trust assets. When the trust terminates, the remaining principal goes to St. Joseph's as a lump sum.

You fund this trust with cash or appreciated assets—and may qualify for a federal income tax charitable deduction when you itemize. Each year the trust pays you or another named individual the same dollar amount you choose at the start. When the trust terminates, the remaining principal goes to St. Joseph's as a lump sum.

A beneficiary designation clearly identifies how specific assets will be distributed after your death.

A charitable gift annuity involves a simple contract between you and St. Joseph's where you agree to make a gift to St. Joseph's and we, in return, agree to pay you (and someone else, if you choose) a fixed amount each year for the rest of your life.
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