Pathfinder Receives

$1.2 Million Bequest

Mother, Son’s Gift To Fund Scholarships

EDMESTON – Pathfinder Village has announced a $1.2 million bequest establishing the J. Couper Lord Jr. Endowment, an unrestricted gift to benefit the community for children with Down syndrome.

The announcement was made Tuesday evening at The Otesaga during Pathfinder’s annual Pro-Am and Tennis Classic Awards Banquet, part of an annual week of fund raising events that support Pathfinder scholarhips.

Barbara Edwards and Lisa Gillespie, both of Southampton, sisters of the benefactor, announced the news.  Their brother, who operated the Bathing Corp., an exclusive beach club in Southhampton, died in 2004.

The endowment was made in remembrance of the family’s sister, Ruth Lord, 1958-1995, who lived at Pathfinder for many years, and honored the sibling’s mother, Pathfinder benefactor Barbara Hartley Lord, who died in April.

The mother and son’s “story is one of faith, family, and loyalty,” said Pathfinder CEO Paul C. Landers.  “… The Lord Family understood the value of our inclusive community not only for Ruth, but also for others who dream of a life full of meaning for their loved ones with Down syndrome and related disabilities.”