Alice Dew Schappert

1927-2000

Alice Dew Schappert was born in Nanticoke, PA, the daughter of a coal miner and a former schoolteacher. An only child, she suffered greatly, from a young age, from asthma and related conditions which persisted throughout her life. Her family was of modest means; they never owned a house or a car. She grew up during the Great Depression and idolized President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Despite her physical limitations, Alice was able to work part-time as a salesgirl during high school and eventually won a scholarship to Bucknell Junior College, later Wilkes College. After graduation, she received another scholarship to Carnegie Technical Institute, where she studied library science. She spent her career working as a librarian, while also getting married and raising two children. She was fiercely independent and was always proud to earn her own money, which she had no qualms about spending as she saw fit.

Alice overcame many obstacles and was able to provide a wonderful home for her family; she was Martha Stewart before there was Martha Stewart. She worked full-time, but was also a dedicated and talented homemaker, who refinished furniture, knew how to make drapes and slipcovers, produced vast quantities of hand-painted ceramics and could turn out all forms of handiwork. She especially loved Christmas and spent the whole year making hand-made ornaments, especially by counted cross-stitch. She loved to entertain lavishly and was a tremendous cook. In retirement, she spent much time volunteering with her church, and later dedicated herself to helping her daughter raise her two children, providing much-appreciated child care in their early years. She accomplished a very great deal in her life and inspired all those she touched through her generosity and kindness.

Bridget Davoren Nestor

1930-2018

Bridget Davoren Nestor was born to a farming family in Galway, Ireland, the 11th of 12 children. Her mother passed away when Bridget (“Bridie” to her Irish friends) was only 11. Wishing to make a life for herself, Bridget left the Irish countryside at 17 years of age and moved on her own to London, where she became a secretary. After several years of working and living independently, she had an opportunity to emigrate to the United States, to join other family members living and working in Boston, MA. She sailed to the U.S. in 1952 and was able to quickly find employment. She married and had two children, but later became a single mother who also worked full-time to support her young family. She spent decades in a successful career as a secretary with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and even after retirement, volunteered at her old office until well into her 80s.

Bridget was extremely sociable, generous, funny, and kind. With a mischievous glint in her eye and her Irish wit, she could easily lighten the spirits of those around her. She adored spending her lunch hours walking the streets and parks of Boston and acted as an unofficial and very enjoyable tour guide when anyone came to visit. She loved to dance and to attend the outdoor concerts held in Boston throughout the year. She was a devoted and beloved grandmother. She was also a devoutly religious person and gave generously of her time and resources to her family, friends, and local charities. She had a truly beautiful nature and is dearly missed.

These two women shared many similarities in their desire for independence, their generous natures, and their wonderful characters. This endowment fund seeks to remember them and to inspire other young women. Alice, although limited by her physical abilities, loved the ocean and especially Cape Cod which she visited for many summers with her daughter. Bridget was a great walker and nature lover, who also enjoyed the Cape. It is our sincere hope that this fund will provide a means for young women and historically underrepresented persons on the Cape and elsewhere in Massachusetts to further their education and career goals, especially as they relate to environmental stewardship. There is no doubt that Alice and Bridget would care deeply about climate change and the future of our world, were they still with us. This endowment fund is therefore named in their honor and memory.