Two new endowments were announced at the January meeting of the Tucker Community Foundation board of directors: the Katherine Zabriskie Emergency Medical Services Fund and the Zabriskie Canaan Valley Fire Department Fund. The funds were established by the estate of the former Canaan Valley resident, Katherine Zabriskie, to provide perpetual funding to benefit the local area.
Zabriskie moved to Canaan after retiring from IBM. She was a graduate of the University of Michigan and earned her graduate degree from American University. She was a member and Jr. Warden of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Deer Park, MD; 26 yr. member of the Sports Car Club of America, Washington, DC Region; the Timberline Home Owners Association; the Amateur Operators of the American Radio Relay League; and member and former President of the Canaan Valley Women’s Club of Davis, WV. She was very involved with the Canaan Valley Volunteer Fire Dept. Auxilliary. Zabriskie was 69 when she died in 2010.
Her pastor, the Rev. Dr. Chip Lee had this to say about Zabriskie, “Kathy was active in many community service agencies and projects and her legacy lives on in her various bequests to family and organizations. Because of her concern for the safety and well-being of her neighbors, the Canaan Valley Fire Department and the Resque Squad will have much needed, ongoing support through the efforts of the Tucker Community Foundation. So many ongoing projects will be helped long term because Kathy cared so much for the people of this area.”
In addtion to the TCF endowed funds, her estate benefits several programs in the Garrett County area: In the Bag to benefit at risk elemenetary school children, Cindy’s Fund for cancer screening and care services, and St. John’s Episcopal Church of Deer Park, MD.
Prior to her death, Katherine met with Foundation board members and staff to discuss options for charitable giving and estate planning. She followed through by creating the Zabriskie VFD and EMS Funds. The endowments are pooled with other funds managed by the Foundation to keep administrative costs low and maximize the return on investments.
For more information, or to donate to either of the Zabriskie Funds, contact the Foundation office at 304-478-2930 or 304-259-5008.
