Leaving Her Mark: Anna Bayer, a Caring Neighbor

In North Miami Beach, Craig Savage sifts through a box filled with personal mementos of his dear friend Anna Bayer. He remembers his friend as someone who lived selflessly for others. Today, Anna's generosity continues to impact the lives of her dear friends, and those she never knew.

Originally from Brooklyn, New York, Anna graced the shores of Miami Beach 45 years ago, accompanied by her mother Martha and her sister, Pauline.

Through wise investments, Anna developed a comfortable savings, very little of which she spent on herself. She would refuse vacations or any other expenditure on herself, opting instead to give her money to charity.

As the years passed, so did Anna's sister and mother, leaving her to lead a relatively solitary life.

A dear friend and neighbor, Morna Reed, recalled, "I would take her out every day to go shopping or to the bank." Her daily routine usually involved a stop at the bank before relaxing for lunch in the neighborhood. In the absence of family, Anna managed to build a community around herself by befriending people she met in her building, the neighborhood and local bank.

In December of 2006, Anna passed away at 86. But her generous and kind spirit lives on through the legacy she left behind. Before her death, Anna had crafted a thoughtful will in which she allocated her assets to United Way of Miami-Dade, among a host of other charities within the community.

Anna's example reminds us that the legacy we leave is just as important as the life we live. When you contribute to The United Way Endowment, you help ensure that you will touch all of our lives - today, tomorrow and forever.

When Morna thinks of the mark Anna left on her life, "I was lucky to have had her."

And so were we.