Donor establishes Bill Hannon Foundation

He is retired from the District Attorney's Bureau of Investigation in Los Angeles; she is an attorney actively engaged in estate planning. He loves the mountains; she loves the ocean. Mostly, they love each other. So 20 years ago, Bob and Elaine Ewen merged interests and moved to Carmel-by-the-Sea.

Elaine, who practices estate law, divides her time and her interests between her Carmel office and her clients in Southern California.

"It is so gratifying to help enable people to look after their family or favorite charities, so they can conclude their lives peacefully, knowing they are taking care of themselves and their interests," she says.

Of particular interest to Elaine is the Bill Hannon Foundation. As trustee of the Hannon trust, she funded the foundation when he passed away in 1999. Hannon, a southern California real estate developer, demonstrated devotion to the Catholic community by supporting education and healthcare organizations in southern California and other parts of the state.

The local connection came when the Little Company of Mary Hospital in Torrance drew its inspiration for the design of its Hannon Tower, the first major project funded by the foundation, from the architecture and ambiance of Community Hospital.

"The Hannon Tower was designed after the structure, the décor, the atriums and plantings, the open feeling and ambiance of Community Hospital," Elaine says. "This is one way the Hannon Foundation became aware of Community Hospital. The other is a more personal interest of mine. Bob and I, who have both been patients there, truly appreciated our care."

The Bill Hannon Foundation, in a provision established by Elaine, enables its directors to give a specific allocation to the charities of their choice. For the past six years, Elaine has been awarding a significant portion of her annual allocation to Community Hospital, resulting in a $60,000 contribution to date.

"Community Hospital makes such an investment in the local community through health lectures and support groups, plus really outstanding healthcare," Elaine says. "This kind of community support was so important to Bill. If I had more money to give, I certainly would."