A Legacy of Love for Lake Tippecanoe

Tillie LaSalle had a long history on Lake Tippecanoe. Though she and her husband, Dr. Richard LaSalle, lived and worked in Wabash, they owned a cottage on Tippy called “Nickapoo” where they spent their summers, and where Tillie herself earned a reputation as a savvy angler. In Memories of Lake Tippecanoe, author Carole Shelby recalls how, in the summer of 1968, Tillie caught a 33-inch pike near Government Point. Just two weeks later, she snagged a 7.25-lb bass. Folks joked it was a bass “so big that Dick LaSalle had to buy a cottage big enough to hang it in.” Afterward, wherever Tillie went in her green bass-fishing boat, other fishermen followed, hoping to catch a little of her luck.

Tillie loved Lake Tippecanoe and was passionate about its protection. She supported The Watershed Foundation for many years, serving on fundraising and strategic planning committees and contributing financially to the work.

Tillie passed away on December 15, 2020. Recently, we learned that she left a gift to The Watershed Foundation in her will. We’re honored and grateful to receive Tillie’s gift, and we’re inspired by the legacy she leaves for the lake she loved.

In fact, gift and estate planning is one of the most powerful ways to help keep our lakes healthy and protect our local land and water from pollution, now and for future generations. With various planned giving options to choose from, you can enjoy tax savings, income for life, or other financial benefits. When you include TWF in your planned giving, you become part of our Legacy Society, ensuring your love for the lakes is honored long after your lifetime. Whatever your stage in life, we invite you to explore your many options for planned giving.