Love in Every Season: The Story of OSMH Donors William and Ann Wiest
Some love stories begin with a spark. Others, like William (“Chip”) and Ann Wiest’s, unfold gently, like a country road winding through the seasons.
William moved to Orillia in 2008 with his first wife, Joyce, to be closer to their children in Barrie and Toronto. They were looking for a place that offered both peace and practicality: William wanted the quiet of the countryside, while Joyce wanted a garden, shopping nearby, and access to a good hospital. They settled happily into their life in Orillia.
Ann, a neighbour with a warm heart and a keen eye, first noticed the couple while they were out walking in the rain. “It was pouring,” Ann recalls. William insists it was just a drizzle. Either way, Ann offered them a ride home. They became friendly, and Ann invited them to her 75th birthday party. That simple act of kindness sparked a friendship that would change all of their lives.
As their friendship grew, Joyce began showing early signs of Alzheimer’s. Though undiagnosed at the time, her driving became difficult. Ann, who loves driving and the beauty of the countryside, offered to help. She began taking William and Joyce on long drives that included easy conversation and beautiful landscapes.
Eventually, Joyce’s condition worsened, and she moved into long-term care. Ann remained a steadfast friend, continuing to visit Joyce and offering William companionship and support. One spring day, while watching swans return to their nest, Ann and William realized something had shifted. “It felt like the swans were getting to know each other again,” Ann said. “That’s what it felt like for us.”
Their bond deepened, and after Joyce’s passing in 2021, William and Ann continued their drives and their journey together. They were married in the spring of 2022.
Their love story is one of compassion, patience, and shared purpose, and that purpose extends to their community. William and Ann are proud supporters of Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital (OSMH), each giving in a way that reflects their values.
Ann has chosen to leave a gift in her will to OSMH. “It’s the best way for me to make a meaningful gift,” she says. “I can support my community now and know that my legacy will continue to care for others.”
William, meanwhile, discovered that donating securities allowed him to give more by avoiding capital gains tax. He made a generous unrestricted gift to the hospital. “If they need light bulbs, that’s fine by me,” he jokes. “I trust them to use it where it’s needed most.”
The OSMH Foundation is honoured to know William and Ann. Their story reminds us that love, in all its forms, is a powerful force for good, and that there are many ways to give back.