PARKERSBURG - When longtime former civic and business leader Edith "Edie" Parker Cather moved to Montrose, Colo., several years ago to be closer to family, she kept the Parkersburg area close in heart.

Now, Cather has left a gift of about $100,000 each to the West Virginia University at Parkersburg Foundation and to Our Community's Foundation-the Parkersburg Area Community Foundation and its Regional Affiliates in Doddridge, Jackson, Little Kanawha Area, Mason and Ritchie Counties (PACF).

"During her lifetime, Edie was very generous to the college, particularly in support of our students' needs. She served as president of Union Insulating, which eventually merged with GTE in the 1970s. She was an exceptional business executive and community leader. She knew from personal experience that it is wise to plan ahead. We are delighted that WVU at Parkersburg was remembered through her estate planning. The Cather bequest will become a permanent part of the foundation's endowment when it is accepted into our family of funds at the board's November meeting. Her gift will remain forever as a tribute to her work here on campus and in the community," said Jenny Keup, WVU at Parkersburg Foundation executive director.

Judy Sjostedt, PACF executive director, added, "I knew Edie personally. Edie was one of our founders and served on PACF's Advisory Council of retired board members for many years, always faithfully participating in our activities. I was saddened when she moved but she kept in touch and remained supportive of our work, writing encouraging notes to the staff periodically. Through her bequest, Edie continues to help the causes that were important to her during her lifetime.

"We're so grateful for this wonderful gift. As it is unrestricted, our board considered how best to honor her and decided to create The Edith Parker Cather Memorial Community Foundation Fund to commemorate her longtime board service. Edie was pleased with our expansion in regional service and adoption of the 'Our Community's Foundation' umbrella so we felt that this is a fitting way to honor her. As an endowment, we won't spend the principal of the fund; we'll pay out a portion of its earnings each year to support the Community Foundation's work region wide so the charitable work that Edie began forever continues across our service region in her name."