I’m not sure how to start this post.
Ultimately, it is about the legacy of support that’s possible and how that ties into the fast-approaching Sweet 16 Online Auction, with some history behind some of the pieces of artwork featured in the auction.
The reality is that we’ve lost several donors over the past few months. It can be a strange experience to know someone by name because they are a supporter, often never having met them in person, and to receive notice of their passing. I’m not sure why there’s always an element of shock to learn someone is no longer here. I think I need to create some sort of ritual to mark the passing of donors and to celebrate their support.
For some donors, we’ve had the privilege of getting to know them on a more personal level. Diane Mattis was one of these people. She was a Level I volunteer in the chimp house for several years, sometimes picking up donated produce on her way. In my mind’s eye I can still see her folding blankets and smiling. She was always so upbeat, and she loved being able to help. We talked about her ailing mother who was under her care and eventually passed, and her job at T-Mobile, from which she eventually retired. She frequently talked about the chimpanzees and the sanctuary with her friends, creating more supporters with her enthusiasm.
Diane enjoyed participating in our in-person auctions, first as a volunteer, and then as an attendee. She began collecting chimp-focused art at these events, and she made a big impression at HOOT! 2019 with her winning bid of $9,000 (!!) for the gorgeous Negra in the Sun mosaic by Lisa Wathne, inspired by artist Margaret Parkinson’s painting of the same name.
When Diane hung the mosaic on her wall, she sent me an email with a picture of it, saying:
Hi Diana. I just had to share this with you. I feel so fortunate to have her in my home. It’s really special to me. Last night was great fun. Glad your fundraising goal was met and then some. Can’t wait to meet Honey B, Willie B, and Mave. So exciting. That was the best news of the night.
Thanks for all that you do.
Diane
In 2020, during the pandemic, I had a zoom call with Diane just to catch up. She showed me more of her prized auction art that was hung around her condo. Shortly after our call, we had a virtual event and online auction, and Diane bid vigorously on another mosaic created by the talented Lisa Wathne, this one of Jody, inspired by a painting by the equally talented Cheryl Feng. Diane won that mosaic for the bid of $5,375. I packed it up and shipped it to her and received this email message when it arrived:
Oh my! Just got her. I’m speechless. She’s even more beautiful than I expected. The colors are beautiful. I’ll take a photo as soon as she finds her place. Thank you very much.
Diane passed away in November of last year. Her friend, who is also named Diane, let us know. She wanted to make sure we knew that Diane had specified that all of her primate artwork be gifted to the sanctuary. Last week, J.B. and I met up with Diane G. and picked up these very special donations in time to put them in the Sweet 16 Online Auction. Diane Mattis would be thrilled to know that someone else will get to enjoy these pieces, and that they will raise more funds for her chimpanzee friends in Cle Elum.
Art is far from all that Diane left the sanctuary. She named Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest as the direct beneficiary of her IRAs and one of several beneficiaries of the remainder of her estate. We don’t know yet the total of her final gifts, but we think we can use the donations towards our next big project – a support building for staff and volunteers that will give us more room to prepare enrichment, which is one of the tasks that Diane did as a volunteer ten years ago.
The Sweet 16 Online Auction celebrates birthdays and anniversaries, which reflect the passing of time and all that’s happened in between. Sixteen years of donors and volunteers like Diane who have have created, nurtured, and supported the sanctuary, even after they are no longer here. Register for the auction now, and keep an eye out for more items being added before it starts on June 10th.
If you haven’t already, please consider naming Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest in your will like Diane did. You can create or update your will with ease for free with this tool from Frewill or let us know here if you’ve named or intend to name the sanctuary in your will already.
