A Celebration!

As if celebrating the 80th Kfeirian Reunion over four days wasn’t enough, at the Monday morning brunch, Nancy Rutherdale, daughter of the late Alice Tamam Bassett Rutherdale, made the event even more special.  Speaking on behalf of her brother and sisters and highlighting the life of their mother, the family made a $9,400 contribution to the Kfeirian Reunion Foundation Scholarship Fund.  It was the largest single donation to the Fund in recent memory and was the highest honor they could bestow in their mother’s memory.

In reflection of this wonderful gift, then Kfeirian Reunion President Mike Abraham said afterwards, “this donation embodies not only the memory of a beloved family member, but the spirit of the Kfeirian Reunion.  It honors our past and all those who have come before us with a focus on future generations of Kfeirians.  Our thoughts and prayers are with the family in the passing of their mother and we thank them so much for keeping the memory of their mother alive with such a wonderful gift.”

Alice is the daughter of the late Abraham Joseph and Rahija Saad Bassett, passing away April 16, 2011.  Born in Williamson, WV, Alice graduated from Williamson High School, where she was a member of the marching band and an excellent student, even while working evenings in her father’s confectionary store.

Alice graduated with a B.A. from Marshall College, taught music for a year in Cassopolis, Michigan, and learned to fly a plane, all before completing a Master of Music at the University of Michigan in 1944. That year Alice joined the Women Army Corps (WAC) and served as a cryptographer at the US Army Signal Intelligence Service at Arlington Hall in Virginia.

It is evident from her background how much Alice valued education, and now, with the forethought and generosity of her children, that commitment to higher education will be carried on to the children of all Kfeirians.    

Pictured:  The four children of Alice Bassett Rutherdale and Alice at a Middle Eastern restaurant celebrating Alice’s birthday.  From left to right, Jay Rutherdale, Sacramento, CA, Jan Rutherdale, Juneau, AK, the late Alice Bassett Rutherdale, Martha de La Soujeole, Dallas, TX and Nancy Rutherdale, Sacramento, CA.