M a r c h 2 0 1 5 • M a r i e m o n t, O h i o • Vo l u m e X X X I X , N o .
5
The Thomas J. Emery Memorial: A Lasting Gift from Mary Emery
As many local residents know, Mary Emery envisioned and financed the development of a model of town planning known as the Village of Mariemont, Ohio. With a fortune derived partially from real estate, Mrs. Emery envisioned a model project including apartments and townhouses designed for citizens of low or modest means. Her new town concept was developed primarily by Charles Livingood, advisor and financial manager to Mrs. Emery, and by noted town planner, John Nolen. What many may not know is that in the final years of her life, as she entered her eightieth year, Mrs. Emery’s Last Will and Testament “established the Thomas J. Emery Memorial, a foundation that would continue her charitable works.1 ” Named for her late husband, “the Memorial resulted from Mrs. Emery’s long-standing practice of commemorating her spouse in many of the good works she undertook. Charles Livingood released the announcement of the Memorial’s formation on April 16, 1925, and the local newspapers promptly covered it: A unique method of trusteeship has been evolved by Mrs. Mary M. Emery, founder of Mariemont, according to announcements made yesterday by her personal representative, Charles J. Livingood. The trusteeship has been incorporated under the laws of Ohio to administer the entire residuary estate of Mrs. Emery, and is known as the Thomas J. Emery Memorial. It will be a perpetual memorial to the memory of Mrs. Emery’s husband, the late Thomas J. Emery. It is unique also in that it is established (cont'd on page 4)
The statuesque Bell Tower is even more dramatic bathed in evening spotlights. Th e
Vo i c e
o f
t h e
Vi l l a g e
Photo courtesy Ron Schroeder
By Rex Bevis