Marrone Family honors lifesaving care with a generous gift

In an extraordinary act of gratitude, John and Katherine Marrone made an incredible legacy gift as a testament to the exceptional care provided by John Maurice, M.D., who played a pivotal role in Katherine’s life-changing journey.

Katherine, plagued by complications from years of smoking, sought the expertise of thoracic surgeon Dr. Maurice to identify a nodule in her lungs. Katherine’s case marked a milestone for Providence St. Joseph Hospital as she was one of the first patients to benefit from the philanthropically funded Ion system. This advanced robotic platform — used for early diagnosis of lung cancer — spared Katherine from invasive needle biopsies, particularly crucial for hard-to-reach areas where cancers often originate.

Overwhelmed by the compassion displayed by Dr. Maurice and the staff, the Marrones’ immense gratitude resulted in a gift to support cancer technology for future generations. Legacy gifts like these help acquire essential resources for cancer treatment such as the purchase of an additional CT scanner for radiation oncology within The Center for Cancer Prevention and Treatment.

The Marrones’ gift was made possible by establishing a life estate with a charitable gift annuity (CGA) by transferring ownership of their Anaheim Hills home to Providence St. Joseph while retaining the right to live within the home for the rest of their lifetime. In return, they receive generous income from the hospital — most of which is not subject to taxes. Additionally, they obtain a substantial charitable tax deduction that can carry forward for up to five years.

In addition to their life estate with CGA, the Marrones designated the hospital as a beneficiary of their IRA. As originally intended, the couple can continue to use their retirement savings until they pass. Upon their passing, the remaining IRA assets will be distributed to the hospital without incurring any tax liabilities.

To honor their generosity, Providence St. Joseph welcomed John and Katherine into The Sister Frances Dunn Legacy Society, a distinguished recognition for those who have demonstrated exceptional philanthropic commitment to the hospital. In addition, the foundation hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony to unveil the new CT scanner and will soon display a plaque bearing their names at the room’s entrance.

John and Katherine’s gift is a testament to the transformative power of gratitude and the impact physicians like Dr. Maurice can have on their patients.