Warm stories and laughter rang through the halls of Our Family Services as four sisters came together to reminisce and celebrate the spirit of their parents. Their mother, Colleen Dickinson, was a formative leader in the growth and development of Southern Arizona’s Information and Referral Services, while their father, Donald Dickinson, was invited to establish the University of Arizona’s library science program in 1969 as its first director. During the sisters’ visit they shared not only a significant estate gift, but also photographs and memories. “Mom and Dad were always devoted to helping others” agreed daughters, Ann, Jean, Katie, and Ellen.
The family’s history is imbued with a love of research and reading, as evidenced by the fact that three of the six daughters became librarians! Donald also authored several books, including works on poet Langston Hughes, railroad magnate Henry Huntington and book collector John Carter. Colleen’s love shined through her volunteer-turned staff role at 2-1-1 Information and Referral Services, a program of Our Family that has been helping people in need since 1965. Colleen worked at Information & Referral for twenty years before retiring and devoting herself full-time to painting. She exhibited in Tucson at the Southern Arizona Watercolor Guild shows.
With Colleen as a driving force, Information and Referral grew from information handwritten on recipe cards into a professionally printed directory and call center, and later into a largely web- and app- based system known as 2-1-1 Arizona. Last year alone, 100,000 people in Southern Arizona used 2-1-1 for much needed crisis assistance. Colleen’s husband Donald was so moved by his wife’s commitment that he included Our Family Services and Information and Referral in his will, making a difference this year and beyond.
Thank you Dickinson Family, for your legacy and your gift!
Have you considered including Our Family in your Estate Plan?
There are many ways to make a legacy gift, including:
• Remembering us in your will
• Gifting appreciated securities or your Required Minimum Distribution (RMD – For those over 70 ½)
• Directing a Life Insurance Policy to Our Family
These gifts ensure Our Family Services is able to continue making Tucson a better place to live, to grow up, and grow older – far into the future.
Our Federal Tax ID # is: 94-2598560.
