Gloria Culbert was a true community champion with a charitable heart to help vulnerable people in our community. She was well known throughout Collingwood, with residents remembering her as a ray of sunshine riding her bicycle around town with a basket full of flowers and a big smile on her face. She was active in arts & culture, tai chi and had many friends in Town.
Upon her passing in 2019, Ms. Culbert named three beneficiaries of her residence located at 167 Third Street, the Town of Collingwood, Habitat for Humanity and Home Horizon, to continue to assist vulnerable adults in need of housing.
A major challenge facing the named beneficiaries over the past few years, was Ms. Culbert did not appoint a trustee to manage the estate, so the property is not under the ownership or control of the Town, Habitat for Humanity or Home Horizon.
Clarke Melville is now the court appointed trustee with control and management of the property and estate. The trustee is an independent representative acting in the estate’s interests.
The Town has been informed that Mr. Melville has been instructed by the Court to sell the property, which will be posted today, June 1, 2023.
Once the trustee has concluded the estate matters, the Courts will have to confirm the eligible beneficiaries to ensure that the intent of Ms. Culbert’s wishes are met. We hope that the Town will be confirmed as one of the beneficiaries so we can use our portion of any proceeds to support initiatives to increase the affordable housing supply, and honour Ms. Culbert’s intentions as much as we are able. And, if the court confirms the other two likely beneficiaries, Habitat for Humanity and Home Horizon, they will also use the funds to support their charitable services for those at risk of homelessness or in need of affordable accommodations.
Yvonne Hamlin
Mayor