Westlake’s Deeks Family Orchard: Still Bearing Fruit at UH St. John

Years ago, in the early 1900’s, the City of Westlake (then Dover Township) was a rural and agricultural outpost at the western end of Cuyahoga County. Center Ridge Road (Route 20) was a US highway and there were no major thoroughfares, just deeply wooded fields and wilderness. Among the farmlands and vineyards that populated the small town called Dover was the Deeks Family Orchard, a 30 plus acre apple farm along Center Ridge Road abutting Schwartz Road.

Today, University Hospitals St. John Medical Center now stands on part of the former Deeks Orchard property and thanks to a recent gift by Don and Nancy Deeks Maltby, the Deeks Family Orchard will once again bear fruit at UH St. John.

Like so many families, Don and Nancy have been greatly impacted by breast cancer. Both lost their mothers to the disease, and Nancy is a breast cancer survivor. In recognition of their experiences with University Hospitals and Paula Silverman, MD, the couple made the lead gift to establish the Nancy and Donald Maltby Master Clinician in Breast Health.

In honoring the generosity of their $1.25 million gift, the Maltby Breast Health Center will be named at UH St. John Medical Center in Westlake, focusing on patient care, clinical research, clinical trials and breast cancer health and prevention.

“We are so very proud to be associated with UH and this gift will help enable future progress towards curing this disease,“ said Don.

“The story is one of life circling back,” says Nancy. ”The legacy of the Deeks Family Orchard is a great story about my grandparents immigrating from England in search of the American dream. After sometime in the states, my grandparents, Arthur and Eva Deeks purchased 30 plus acres in what is now Westlake and named it the Deeks Family Orchard.”

The Deeks family then grew and has a long history in what is now Bay Village and Westlake. Nancy’s dad (Larry Deeks, one of six sons) graduated from the old Dover High School in 1931 with a class of 12 students. Nancy is a 1971 Westlake High graduate and noted interior designer.

“The experience we had at University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center in Cleveland was so wonderful, we wanted to get involved and help in any way we could,” said Nancy.

The couple then became involved with the UH Circle of Friends that led to expanding their role and participation. “We met with the people of UH about opportunities for a legacy gift. When they mentioned the naming rights at UH St. John for the Breast Center, it was a perfect fit,” said Nancy.

“With these gifts, Don and I are remembering our mothers and also endeavoring to help future breast cancer patients.”

In addition to their gift, the couple committed an estate bequest that will create funds for the breast health program at UH Seidman Cancer Center and the pediatric, adolescent and young adult cancer program at the Angie Fowler Adolescent & Young Adult Cancer Institute at UH Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital.

“After Nancy’s personal cancer experience, she and Don wanted to make a difference for others,” said Paula Silverman, MD, Director, Breast Cancer Program, UH Seidman Cancer Center. “The combination of research, personalized care and a positive environment hit home for them. Their generosity will leave a legacy for generations to come and I am truly grateful for their meaningful support of the work we do every day and how we aspire to change breast cancer care.”

Accredited by the Commission on Cancer of the American College of Surgeons, UH Seidman Cancer Center at UH St. John Medical Center offers high quality care, close to home. Patients in Westlake and surrounding communities have access to comprehensive cancer care ranging from diagnostic imaging and screenings to advanced treatment options and support services.

“UH continues to demonstrate its ability to provide state-of-the-art health care in a warm and welcoming environment,” said Don Maltby, retired President and COO of a leading transportation management company. “It’s truly meaningful to be part of that – there’s pride in knowing you will make a difference in someone else’s life.”