Margaret Ann "Pinny" Geffert
Brightspire Foundation Foundation is pleased to announce that former Scotia Village resident, Margaret Ann "Pinny" Geffert, has provided a tremendous gift through her estate of more than $131,000. This unrestricted estate gift has been directed by Brightspire Foundation Foundation Board of Directors to support the endowment that provides resident financial assistance at Scotia Village.
Born in Flossmoor, Illinois, Pinny grew up on Argyle Avenue. After high school, she attended Indiana University where she received a B.S. in Medical Technology. For more than 15 years, she put her field of study to work in clinics, hospitals and research labs.
Pinny married Carl Geffert, a professor of German Language; his career led the couple to California, Virginia, Iowa and Germany. They eventually moved to Laurinburg, North Carolina, and Carl joined the faculty at St. Andrews Presbyterian College, now known as St. Andrews University.
For 20 years, Pinny was also employed by St. Andrews. She began as an assistant with the rehabilitation program for disabled students and eventually became a reference assistant at DeTramble Library. There she assisted researchers in finding information regarding the history of the college as well as the history of Flora MacDonald, a famed Scottish heroine who emigrated to North Carolina briefly in the 1770s. Surrounded by the Scottish and Rare Book Collection, and all the information she had uncovered, her passion for the Scottish heritage of the region grew.
Pinny's deep interest in Scottish heritage led her to help create the first Scottish Heritage Center at St. Andrews University. She also served as a member of the steering committee for the "Our Scottish Heritage Symposium" and was a founder of the Laurinburg-Oban (Scotland) Sister City Committee.
In 2003, Pinny moved to Scotia Village, and in her 16 years there was an active resident. Over the years, she enjoyed helping set up and tend to the curio cabinet located outside the dining room, offering ideas for themes and collecting items from residents to share in the monthly feature.
A dear friend, Henrietta Carmichael, shared that Pinny was known to love "critters"—animals and insects of any kind—though hedgehogs and cats were favorites. She had a tremendous collection of most every kind of stuffed "critter." They were gifts from those who knew her well and she was proud of each one. "As much as she loved critters, she loved people more. She genuinely cared about people and wanted her gifts to be such that they would continue over the years… she wanted to help others down the road," says Henrietta.
Have you thought about investing in the future of Scotia Village?
Current and future gifts to The Presbyterian Homes Foundation, Inc. (dba Brightspire Foundation) can be earmarked to support Scotia Village in a way that reflects your philanthropic goals and priorities. Please contact Marisa Ray at (336) 886-6553, Ext. 5118 or mray@brightspire.org, or visit our Ways To Give page for additional information. Those who have made provisions to include the Foundation and Scotia Village in their estate plans qualify for membership to Scotia's Hix Society.