Mary Cea

"Not to include the Sisters in our estate plans would be like leaving out a member of the family."

Mary Cea fondly recalls when she and her husband Bob met the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur. One day after Mass at the Carmelite Monastery in Carmel, Sr. Marilyn Smith invited the couple up for Mass and a soup supper at the Sisters' House of Prayer the following week. This was in 1978, and they and their three daughters had just moved to Carmel from New York City.

The friends they made at these monthly dinners became a second family to this day. Bob and Mary found the Sisters to be sincere and outspoken. They possessed a great sense of humor, gave gentle advice and had good common sense, which helped greatly at times in dealing with the girls.

Mary says that when she and Bob decided to review their trust, "We looked at our values... Who better to leave our money to than these good Sisters who will tend it, make it grow and use it in caring for the Body of Christ? A no lose investment."