“The Americans saved Europe and America has given me a wonderful life,” says Ione Gille, World War II survivor and Foundation donor. “If my gift can save one American life, I feel my debt is settled.”

At 83, Ione Gille still remembers the fear and deprivation she and her family suffered in France during World War II. Vivid memories of the Americans’ triumph over occupying German forces, however, are what’s inspired her to make an extraordinary donation in her adopted U.S. homeland, for the benefit of Alta Bates Summit Medical Center.

After consulting with Rick Buxton, Vice President of the Alta Bates Summit Foundation, Mrs. Gille decided to donate her house to the Foundation, in a beneficial arrangement that allows her to live in the residence and receive an annuity payment for life. In recognition of her exceptional generosity, the Foundation named her Philanthropist of the Year. (See “Heroes in Health Care.”)

The Americans saved Europe, and America has given me a wonderful life. If my gift can save one American life, I feel my debt is settled,” says Mrs. Gille, whose family fled from Italy, where she was born, to France, where they spent 21 years. After immigrating to the United States and moving to the Bay Area in 1950, she built a successful career as a fashion illustrator and met her late husband, Rolf, with whom she enjoyed 42 years of marriage and together nurtured a flourishing import-export business.

“The other thing that inspired my gift to Alta Bates Summit is that I know how important good health care is,” says Mrs. Gille. “I’ve been sick all my life, having grown up in occupied France with virtually nothing to eat. I know about hospitals. I chose Alta Bates Summit and its Foundation because they have a great deal of integrity. They are happy with my gift, and I am happy. It’s a win-win situation.”