Wildcats for Life

Fay Pearce '56 and Ann Lawton Pearce '60 created a meaningful legacy through a planned gift in conjunction with Ann's 50th reunion.

In 1951, Fay Pearce started at a new school. The school was not only new to Fay, but to Atlanta. He was among the first 20 eighth grade boys who enrolled and established Westminster's student body. Four years later, Ann came to Westminster as an eighth grader in the girls school. Ann and Fay still reside in Atlanta and are familiar faces on campus as committed alumni and parents of graduates Ann Stuart '85 and Ed '86.

Ann and Fay have spent countless hours serving the Wildcat community. They have both held roles on Board Committees, as Alumni Board Chairs, Westminster Fund Alumni Chairs, reunion volunteers, and class callers. "We loved that our children could go here and that we have stayed in Atlanta," Ann says, "but even when I make calls to those who live in other cities, it is easy to remind them of what the School has given them, and how that now impacts their local community."

When planning for the class of 1960's 50th reunion began, Ann was excited to help. But the occasion also offered Ann and Fay the opportunity to create a meaningful legacy through a planned gift. Ann's fellow volunteers discussed making Westminster a partial beneficiary of an IRA as part of their reunion gift. Ann had set up her IRA years before. "At the time, it did not seem to be a lot of money, but over time, it grew, and the class' interest in setting up the scholarship inspired me to make a larger commitment than I thought was possible," she says.

This commitment gave Ann and Fay an opportunity to clearly define their values and priorities and the organizations important to them. "It already feels good that we have made this gift, and knowing that when we're gone, we can help Westminster carry on what we and our children enjoyed," Ann says.

Ann and Fay see their gift as a display of the confidence they have in the School's future. "Westminster, and the leadership it has maintained, is impressive," Fay says.

Westminster continues to play an important role in Ann and Fay's lives, and they visit campus often. They most recently saw the Upper School production of Fiddler on the Roof and look forward to attending the alumni association's Beyond the Gates events and the annual Golden Wildcat celebration. Given the impact Westminster has had on Ann and Fay and their children, they describe their decision to make the School part of their long-term planning as "a natural decision." When reflecting on being a part of Westminster's founding class, Fay explains, "There is a responsibility to keep it going and do what we can to perpetuate what Dr. Pressly started."

To learn how you can support The Westminster Schools' future, like the Pearces have, contact Lauren Flores at [email protected] or 404-609-6438.