For Bill and Mary Jane Roby, supporting Cedar Lake is deeply personal. Mary Jane’s sister, Barbara Ann, has been part of the Cedar Lake community for 15 years, living in a supportive residential home with 24-hour care. Now 63, Barbara Ann lives a full and joyful life—spending her days engaged with friends at Down Syndrome of Louisville and St. Mary’s Center, staying active with the help of Cedar Lake’s dedicated team.
“It was the best situation in the world,” Mary Jane says. “She is happy, and they are wonderful to her.”
Barbara Ann, the youngest of nine siblings, joined Cedar Lake Residences after the passing of her mother. She lived with the Robys briefly during that transitional time. “It was a blessing,” Bill recalls. “We were so relieved when Cedar Lake had an opening. We knew she would be in good hands.”
Over the years, the Robys have been consistently moved by the care and compassion shown to Barbara Ann. From helping her with hospital stays to planning her medications around family visits, the staff at Cedar Lake have become an extension of the Roby family. “They keep her active and engaged—that’s the best thing for her,” Mary Jane shares.
Legacy Giving at Cedar Lake
Their gratitude has inspired a lasting act of generosity: a legacy gift to Cedar Lake.
“When you get into your 70s, the word legacy keeps coming up,” Bill says. “We’ve supported nonprofits, churches, and schools all our lives. Now we want to sustain the organizations that have meant the most to us—and Cedar Lake is at the top of that list.”
With help from their financial planner, the Robys included Cedar Lake in their estate plans. “It was simple—just a few signatures,” Bill notes. “We’re trying to show our children and grandchildren that giving back is the smart and right thing to do.”
They hope their story inspires others to reflect on their own legacy. “We all need to ask ourselves: how much is enough for our children, and how much could make a real impact for people who need it?” Bill says. “When you give to a nonprofit from your IRA, the full amount goes to them—unlike inheriting an IRA, which is often heavily taxed. A legacy gift is not just financially wise. It’s morally correct.”
For Bill and Mary Jane, their decision is rooted in love—for Barbara Ann, for Cedar Lake, and for the future of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
“We want to say thank you for everything Cedar Lake has done,” Mary Jane says. “It’s been a great journey, and we want to make sure that journey continues—for Barbara Ann and for so many others.”
Interested in supporting Cedar Lake? From a one-time or monthly gift to a legacy gift, you have many options to make a difference today and in the future. Contact the Cedar Lake Foundation, 502-495-4931, for more information.
