A Life of Purpose, A Legacy of Possibility
In the fall of 1955, ten bright-eyed sixth graders began their Westridge journey— including a thoughtful, curious student named Lynne Saito. What followed were seven unforgettable years of friendships, tradition, and growth that would shape the rest of her life. By graduation in 1963, her class had grown to 36 students and welcomed two international exchange students—but the class’s spirit remained close-knit and joyful.
As Lynne fondly put it, “We were a harmonious group of eclectic individuals with varied interests,
opinions, and skills—or as a classmate described us, ‘a bouquet of amazing girls.’”
That bouquet has stayed tightly bound through the decades. “Maintaining connections with classmates has been a mission and a gift,” she reflected. “The members of 1963 find joy and laughter whenever we reconnect. It is a special bond.”
HOW WESTRIDGE SHAPED A LIFE
When reflecting on how Westridge shaped her, Lynne turned to reunion notes shared by her classmates— testimonies of impact composed across decades.
“Westridge supported, nourished, challenged, and inspired… prepared us for our next steps in
Continued on page 3
Ensuring Westridge for Generations to Come
The Madeline Society recognizes alumnae, family, and friends who have made a commitment to future generations of unstoppable girls by including Westridge in their retirement or estate plans.
150 MADELINE SOCIETY MEMBERS
There are currently 145 Madeline Society members, and we would love to welcome 5 more to reach 150! Whether you’re just beginning to explore options or ready to commit— we’re here to start a conversation with you.
FOR THOSE 70½ YEARS OR OLDER
As of 2025, you can make a tax-free gift of up to $108,000 per year to Westridge directly from your IRA through a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD). It won’t count as taxable income, which can be particularly beneficial for those who do not itemize deductions. Additionally, QCDs can count toward your required minimum distributions (RMDs), helping to reduce your taxable income further. Best yet, your gift can be put to work right away—so you can see your generosity in action.
A Smart Way to Give MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR RETIREMENT ASSETS
If you have an IRA, 401(k), or 403(b), you may be holding one of the most tax-efficient tools for making a meaningful gift to Westridge. Naming Westridge as a beneficiary of your retirement account is a simple way to leave a legacy while also reducing potential tax burdens on your estate.
BENEFITS INCLUDE:
• Reducing or eliminating estate and income taxes on retirement assets
• Leaving other, less heavily taxed assets to your loved ones
• Creating lasting opportunities for future Westridge students
You can give a percentage or specific amount to make a real impact, while leaving the majority to family or others you care about.
academics, independence, professions, and life… with confidence and curiosity…diagramming sentences explains language, communication, and more… making music and singing together is unifying and fun…everyone should experience an introduction to gymnastics — yump! yump! (Thank you, Mrs. Wilcke.)”
GIVING BACK THROUGH THE FOREVER FUND FOR FINANCIAL AID
Lynne’s Westridge journey didn’t end at graduation— it transformed into a lifelong commitment to giving back. “Supporting Westridge financial aid is giving back for the scholarship support I and other classmates received,” she says.
While serving on the Alumnae Board, Lynne met members of the Class of 1969 who founded the Forever Fund. “With Anne Robertson, Karen Robinson, and Jo Whitehouse, we took on the goal of creating our own,” she says. They established the Class of 1963 Forever Fund, an endowed fund that helps make Westridge accessible to future generations.
Her leadership in this initiative reflects a core belief: giving isn’t just financial—it’s generational.
SMART GIVING FOR MEANINGFUL IMPACT
Lynne has a practical, thoughtful lens to her giving. “I learned about Qualified Charitable Deductions (QCDs) when I had to start taking Required Minimum Distributions from my IRA,” she says.
She worked with her financial advisor to make smart giving choices, including donating appreciated stock that had been gifted to her by her mother. “The stocks had a zero cash basis, so donating them meant a strong gift for Westridge and a tax advantage for me—a win-win.”
It’s this kind of strategic giving that makes a powerful difference. “Updating our family trust gave Tom and me the opportunity to acknowledge organizations that have been meaningful to us,” she adds. “This included a bequest to Westridge and membership in the Madeline Society.”
HONORING LEGACY THROUGH THE MADELINE SOCIETY
Lynne is proud to be part of the Madeline Society, “Classmate Karen Robinson was one of the founding
members,” she says. “When she passed, her bequest to our class Forever Fund significantly boosted our goal. It was a beautiful legacy.”
In many ways, Lynne’s story is exactly what the Madeline Society represents—honoring the past, lifting the future, and finding joy in the journey.
The Impact of Past Planned Gifts
From memorable class projects and beloved teachers to hands-on science experiments and friendships that inspire, planned gifts have helped create the Westridge experience that generations of alumnae cherish. These thoughtful contributions ensure Westridge remains a place of purpose, courage, and joy—now and into the future.
Elise Mudd Marvin ’47 (d. 2009) was a dedicated supporter of Westridge for 27 years, generously contributing to key funds like the Annual Fund and Technology and Science Endowment. When she joined the Madeline Society, she thoughtfully designated part of her estate to support both the school’s annual fund and the 2nd Century Endowment, a fund vital to Westridge’s long-term financial health. Westridge was a true family affair for Elise, who was the proud mother of two alumnae daughters continuing her legacy. Through her visionary philanthropy and deep love for Westridge, Elise ensured that generations of students will thrive in the inspiring community she cherished—one grounded in curiosity, compassion, and integrity.
Joan Lamb Ullyot ’57 (d. 2021) truly embodied the Westridge spirit—full of energy, enthusiasm, and good ideas, as her classmates remember her. After studying at Wellesley College and attending Harvard Medical School, Joan became a pioneer in sports medicine and psychology, as well as a passionate advocate for women’s sports. Her groundbreaking book, Women’s Running, inspired countless women to embrace competition, and she personally ran over 80 marathons worldwide, setting an age-group record of 2:47:37 at age 48! In recognition of her inspiring achievements, Joan received the Mary Lowther Ranney Distinguished Alumna Award in 1993. A lifelong Westridge supporter from a family of alumnae—including her mother, aunt, and sister—Joan joined the Madeline Society in 2014 and generously designated her legacy gift to the 2nd Century Endowment, helping to secure the school’s future. For 35 years, she also contributed to the Annual Fund, leaving a lasting impact both on campus and beyond.
Lynne Saito ’63,
Direct Your Legacy Towards Opportunity
If you would like your legacy to support access to Westridge, consider directing your gift to the Forever Fund for Financial Aid, an endowed fund launched by alumnae, for future Westridge girls. Your gift will live on in the lives of students who would not otherwise have the opportunity.
For a confidential conversation about supporting Westridge, please contact: