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A 101-year-old Edmonton widow is fighting with an international nonprofit over which charities her late husband’s $40 million should benefit.

Steve McEachern named the Rotary Canada Foundation in his will as the beneficiary of his $40 million estate, excluding his widow’s living expenses. Mary McEachern said her late husband had a change of heart but was unable to change his will before he died at the age of 99 in September 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. The plan, she said, called for the estate to be shared with several charities in Canada, including several in Edmonton and Alberta.

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Rotary Canada was offered $13 million, but the organization continues to fight Mary in court for Steve’s estate.

Mary wants Rotary to step back and respect her late husband’s wishes. She offered the Canadian group $13 million, saying her and her husband’s savings should be spread to support more Canadian charities rather than just one charity working abroad.

“I miss him a lot. And as far as I’m concerned, we both decided that this is how we want the money to be used, to help people in our part of the world,” she told Postmedia during a interview. “I’m talking about real people in our part of the world helping our people, and that’s what he wanted.”

Steve McEachern made his fortune working for Investors Group Wealth Management, where he worked for 65 years. He was a long-time Rotarian and donor to several charities and held volunteer positions on the board of directors.

Despite her long-standing membership in Rotary, Mary said the charity had not offered condolences. Instead, they took her to court and demanded affidavits, claiming she was unfit to manage her estate.

Mary’s family helped launch a campaign website in hopes of ending the legal battle and “delaying tactics” to prevent him from donating funds to other local organizations in need.

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“I can’t believe Rotary can be so mean and greedy and tell lies about me,” Mary McEachern said. “They never said they were sorry (when he died)… I just felt bad about it.

“As far as I’m concerned, all they’re doing is a delaying tactic to ask me how much money I have in the bank.”

The plan is that Steve’s estate, upon Mary’s death, will be shared with local and national charities: STARS, Hope Mission, Edmonton Humane Society, Mustard Seed Foundation, Salvation Army in Alberta and the Northern Territories, St John Council of Alberta, University. Hospital Foundation, Edmonton Public Schools: Strathcona High School, and a scholarship in Mary’s name for graduate nursing students at the University of Alberta.

Other Canadian charities she hopes to benefit include the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada for Alberta and the Northern Territories, the Alzheimer Society of Canada, the Cowichan Valley Hospice Society, the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, Parkinson Canada, Canadian Guide Dogs for the Blind, CNIB Foundation and Wings of Providence.

Eva Vida, president of the Rotary Canada Foundation, recognized Steve and Mary as important donors. When asked if Rotary hoped to find a solution or continue the legal battle, Vida pointed to Steve’s will.

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“As is common with many Rotary members, Mr. McEachern named the Rotary Canada Foundation as a beneficiary in his last will and testament to support Rotary’s humanitarian programs,” Vida wrote in a statement.

“We regret that this matter is still before the courts and hope for a speedy and reasonable resolution while honoring Mr. McEachern’s lifelong dedication to Rotary.”

Vida said the foundation is known for its financial efficiency and transparency, and that donations to Canadian Rotary clubs help members address pressing issues in economic and community development, disease prevention and treatment, environment, basic education and peace.

During his life, Steve McEachern held board positions with the Southside Rotary Club and the University of Alberta Hospital Foundation, and donated to the Air Force Memorial Site from the Village of Griesbach, to the AISH, to the Investment Club Prime Time Group, to the 4-H Foundation and to the community of Edmonton. Foundation, Scona Memorial for Veterans, among other achievements.

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