Joy Lucas’ Journey with the Museum

Joy Lucas first became involved with the Museum of Science more than two decades ago. Her connection to the Museum began shortly after her family moved to the Boston area, and a neighbor, who worked for the Museum, encouraged her to get involved. It turned out to be a perfect fit.

With a background in biochemistry, a deep commitment to STEM education in public schools, with years of community leadership, Joy quickly became a valued member of the Museum family. Over the years, her role evolved: from member to donor, Advisor, committee chair, parent of a summer intern, and now Trustee. Eventually, a planned gift felt like the natural next step.

Joy has always believed in giving back and made outright gifts to impactfully support organizations she cares about. Planned giving hadn’t crossed her mind until a Museum staff member sparked a conversation. At first, she wasn’t interested. But over time, she began to give the idea serious thought.

Once Joy and her husband began thinking about their estate plans, they realized how a planned gift could significantly increase their impact. It offered a simple, flexible way to give and even allowed them to double their original intent. Their gift will support a mission that means so much to Joy: presenting science at the pace of change and helping young people see themselves as engineers, problem solvers, and innovators.

She never imagined that her legacy would one day help shape the organization’s future. Thanks to her charitable remainder trust, causes closest to her heart, including the Museum of Science, will continue to thrive for generations to come.

Joy hopes her story inspires others to consider how they, too, can leave a meaningful legacy and help advance the causes they care about most.