Honoring a legacy of giving

Gloria Bryngelson is still sorting through the terrible, paperwork-heavy side of becoming a widow. 

“It's like Whac-A-Mole. There's the finances and all the red tape of the government and everything that you have to deal with,” she said.  But of all the tedious work completed in a haze of grief, one task has never felt like a burden — finalizing her estate plan to include a bequest to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital®, just like her beloved husband wanted. 

Gloria’s husband, Larry, lived an extraordinary life. His early years were spent in more than a dozen foster homes, often going without basic needs, including healthcare. His first pair of new shoes were the boots he received at 17, when he enlisted and served three tours in Vietnam. His heroic service earned him a Combat Operations Medal, a Bronze Star, and three Purple Hearts. 

Always selfless, Larry returned home and began to build a career as a public servant. Settling in San Diego, Gloria and Larry met through work. They married and raised their two independent and generous children to love and give to the people around them. Over the years, their family grew to include four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Cancer became an unwanted companion in their life as the couple lovingly supported three parents through cancer treatment. Gloria, who built a thriving career in child and family services, struggled to navigate healthcare systems devoid of clear protocols and support services for families. She often wondered how families without her unique skills managed to find the help they needed. 

When Larry and Gloria retired, they moved to Idaho and reconnected with their friend, Charlie, who had also relocated from San Diego. Happily putting down roots and enjoying the closeness of their dear friend again, they never expected another brush with cancer. At only 13 years old, Charlie’s young son developed brain cancer. Though treatment was long and difficult, he survived. “After that, we wanted to support cancer research,” Gloria said. “He’s 34 now, cancer free for over 20 years. They were fortunate, and I want the same results for everyone.”

Gloria and Larry became familiar with St. Jude as Charlie’s son recovered. They bought tickets to a local St. Jude Dream Home, made extra donations around the holidays and watched how, little by little, St. Jude has helped increase the overall survival rate for childhood cancer.

“One of the things that Larry and I both valued about St. Jude is how they share their research,” she said. “The fact that St. Jude does the research and shares it means that they're advancing the cure for everyone. And that's really important.”

In 2019, Gloria and Larry were enjoying retirement and began having conversations about more ways they could give to others. Then, Larry was diagnosed with cancer. Then another cancer. Then another. He had been exposed to Agent Orange in Vietnam and as they built their beautiful life, cancer had silently waited in the shadows. 

Throughout treatment, Gloria and Larry sorted through records and their history of giving. They realized most of their philanthropic efforts were directed to cancer charities. “We felt strongly that we wanted our legacy to be based on best practices, which St. Jude has. We wanted it to be research- based. We wanted it to serve the whole family. And it was really important to us to continue our giving to St Jude because we really thought it was a proven organization that provided services to the family as a whole. So, that's when we started to dig deeper and started to think more strategically about how we wanted to structure and focus our giving,” Gloria said. 

As the couple began making estate plans, Larry’s worsening health added an urgency. “One of the things that you do when you're staring death in the face is talk about your legacy and how to make your life's work extend beyond your death,” Gloria said. 

In fall 2023, Larry, who was a Navy corpsman, a police officer, an attorney, an advocate, a father and a husband, passed away. Now a widow, Gloria doesn’t know what a life without Larry will look like. “I will probably spend time at the V.A., possibly reading to hospice patients. We have cancer centers in Boise, and I may start volunteering. I don't know. It's too early for me to tell,” she said.

But there was one thing Gloria knew she needed to do. Just months after the greatest loss of her life, she packed a suitcase and traveled to Memphis, Tenn., to visit St. Jude with her dear friend Charlie. In a remaining act of love, she toured the place that meant so much to Larry and saw where her name is etched next to his on the Legacy Wall. 

“Raising our children was the greatest joy of our life,” Gloria said.  “Family has always been our priority. That joy has shaped our legacy. We want other families to be healthy and whole and to feel the love and joy we have shared with ours. 

“St. Jude was Larry’s choice for legacy — and I’m honoring that. I’m making it my legacy as well.”