Behind every legacy gift is a deeply personal story

When speaking to Judith about her parent’s life she wasn’t surprised to see that they had left a gift to Macmillan in their will to help others in need. Neither John nor Beryl had needed to use Macmillan's services but many of their friends and family members had been supported by Macmillan so they chose to support Macmillan through legacy giving. Judith shared about John and Beryl’s love for their community in an interview with the Times.

‘They always looked out for other people’

Beryl and John Barton’s love story began in 1950 and lasted for nearly 70 years. They met at a company dinner dance, where John made use of his dancing lessons to literally sweep Beryl off her feet. From then on, they’d commute together each day from their hometown of Guildford to work at Woodall-Duckham, an engineering firm in London.

“From the moment they met, they were inseparable,” says the couple’s daughter, Judith McGuigan. “They showed their love in small but important ways: Mum would make cakes and puddings for Dad, even though she never ate them herself, while Dad would bring Mum a bunch of flowers every week.”

Marrying in 1955 when they were both 26, Beryl and John went on to have two children. As well as Judith, now 68, there is her brother Graham, 66.

“Mum left her job as a shorthand typist to raise us, but she kept up her skills – I can remember the house shaking as she attacked her typewriter,” says Judith. “She returned to work when I was 11, which was considered odd back then, but she just loved the camaraderie of the office.

“She also loved cooking, knitting, and making homemade wine, and took classes in everything from learning languages to keep fit.”

John was an unusually hands-on father for the time. “He would come home from his engineering job in time to read us poetry and stories – AA Milne was a favourite,” says Judith. “He’d take us on picnics at weekends, then go fishing with Graham and to the theatre with me. He loved to sing – in my memories of him, he’s humming to himself while he gardens or tinkers with his Morris 1000.”

Beryl and John shared a sense of humour and a love of food and drink and exploring new places, and made time for their local community. “They were always looking out for other people,” says Judith. “If someone needed help, they’d think, ‘What can we do?’”

In 1997, Beryl and John were instrumental in setting up Fairwood Helpers, a volunteer-led community transport scheme still going strong today. In 2018, it even won a Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service.

‘Their donations reflect who they were in life – kind, generous people who always wanted to help others.’

One of Beryl’s last outings was to the awards ceremony. She died that same year, followed by John in 2024. But their generosity lives on via Fairwood Helpers and the money they left to Macmillan Cancer Support in their wills.

“Neither of them had used Macmillan’s services, but they’d seen the great work Macmillan does when family and friends went through cancer,” says Judith. “Community support was an issue close to their hearts – so I wasn’t surprised when I heard about their legacy gift."

Beryl and John Barton were born in Guildford in 1929. Beryl died on November 14, 2018, aged 89. John died on February 10, 2024, aged 94.

Ray left 100% of his Residuary Estate to Macmillan, in gratitude for the care his beloved wife Bee received until her passing in 2014. When sharing his story with the Times Ray’s niece, Merry, spoke of his deep adoration for Bee, saying she meant everything to him. She added, "Money didn’t mean anything to Ray, because it couldn’t bring Bee back, but Macmillan can do so much with his donation. It’s a fitting legacy for them both."

'Macmillan nurses did all they could for Bee’

When he died aged 98, Raymond Coals left behind a world that was very different from the one he was born into in 1924.

Growing up in north London with five siblings, Ray was just 15 when the Second World War broke out. He spent many nights huddled in a corrugated iron Anderson air raid shelter before being evacuated to Essex. He  was later conscripted to work in a coal mine in northern England as one of the Bevin Boys.

These hardships faded into insignificance when the war ended and he met Beryl Allsworth – “Bee” – at the electrical company where they worked. Ray was smitten by Bee’s long, dark hair and “lovely looks”, and the couple married in 1959, eventually settling into the home they called their “nest” in Barnet, north London.

“Bee didn’t want children, so they meant everything to each other,” says Ray’s niece Merry Foster, 65. “Like Ray, Bee was quite introverted, but she pushed herself to try new things. She trained as a cordon bleu cook, completed an Open University degree, and regularly flew to America to visit friends.

“Ray was more of a homebody, but he was so supportive and proud of all Bee’s achievements. He absolutely adored her.”

A fan of quieter pursuits, Ray enjoyed reading, crosswords, classical music and the great outdoors. He especially loved bird watching and growing orchids. He also had a great sense of humour.
“If you asked how he was he’d reply: ‘Old and mouldy’,” says Merry. “He’d also tell me I was his favourite niece – I’m his only niece! – and sing songs from Cabaret down the phone.”

After she was diagnosed with cancer, Ray’s beloved Bee was cared for by Macmillan Cancer Support until her death in 2014.

Bee’s funeral was a moment for just the two of them

“Ray had always treated Bee like something precious, and he was devastated when she died,” Merry says. “At his request, he was the only person who attended her funeral. It was as if he wanted to keep that moment for just the two of them.”

In his nineties, Ray regularly drove to the special place where he’d scattered Bee’s ashes – a picnic spot they’d enjoyed.

“He had so much stamina,” says Merry. “We were hoping he’d get to see his 100th birthday, but his time sadly ran out.”

After his death in 2022, Ray’s ashes were scattered under a memorial bird box near the “nest” where he’d spent so many happy years with Bee. He also left a generous £1.2 million donation to Macmillan in his will.

“Macmillan nurses did everything they could for Bee – they were so kind to her,” says Merry. “Money didn’t mean anything to Ray, because it couldn’t bring Bee back, but Macmillan can do so much with his donation. It’s a fitting legacy for them both.”

Ray Coals was born on February 16, 1924. He died on December 8, 2022, aged 98.

Each story we’ve shared is a testament to the profound impact one life can have on many others. Through their legacy gifts, these individuals have not only honoured a cause they held dear, but also ensured that their kindness and compassion will continue to make a difference to people living with cancer for generations to come.

As we reflect on their generosity, we are reminded of the power of giving and the enduring influence of a well-lived life. To all those who have chosen to leave a gift in their will, we extend our heartfelt gratitude. Your support is not only a reflection of your values but also a gift that will help shape a brighter future for others. Thank you for creating a legacy that will echo for years to come.

To find out more about how you can leave a gift in your will to Macmillan, request our gifts in wills guide.