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Honored by the Legacy of Reverend G. Eugene and Mary Porter Durham
In 1918, Rev. Eugene “Gene” Durham and Mary Porter Durham’s met as Cornell University students. Upon graduation, their legacy of service and generosity began when Gene served as Cornell’s Methodist Chaplain, a role in which he and Mary ministered together for 19 years while raising their three children, including their son David Durham.
Beyond their work at Cornell, Gene and Mary were deeply engaged in the Ithaca community. Both were active Ithaca Rotarians, and Gene also served as the hospital chaplain. “My parents were devoted to peace, justice, and fighting racism and poverty,” said son, David.
Mary, a passionate advocate for women’s issues, dedicated her time at church, to PEO and other women’s organizations. In a remarkable act of generosity, at her death and with her children, a downtown Ithaca house was gifted to the Women’s Opportunity Center (WOC) and in her memory named, the “Mary Durham Boutique.” For over two decades, the nonprofit had a rent-free home as a vital resource for women seeking job training in retail and customer service. In 2024, the boutique closed its doors, a ripple effect of the pandemic, marking the end of an era.
With the house now vacant, Sarah Johnson, WOC Board Chair, approached David with an idea: continue the Durham family’s commitment to philanthropy and alleviating tax concerns by donating the house proceeds to the Community Foundation.
David embraced the idea, “Meeting staff members, George and Nancy, I learned about the 1,800 community foundations worldwide. The Community Foundation’s mission, transparency and their trustworthiness made the it the perfect choice to ensure my family’s philanthropic spirit lived on.”
In December 2024, at the house closing, two endowment funds were created:
- Gene and Mary Durham Community Foundation Fund
- Gene and Mary Durham Women’s Opportunity Center Fund
Thank you to Sarah, David, the Durham family, and all those who champion our community.
You can create a family legacy for years to come! To learn how to create a fund with real estate or other assets, contact Nancy Massicci or George Ferrari at info@cftompkins.org.
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