Donor Stories Marion C. Lichty
“The Marion C. Lichty Fund” Marion Cox Lichty’s passion was philanthropy to support arts and recreation. Much of her time was devoted to serving others and advancing the recreational opportunities in the community. Her enthusiasm for philanthropy, an appreciation for athletics and her family’s philanthropic background led her to donate both time and money to important recreational and cultural efforts in the Cedar Valley. Marion’s grandfather, George E. Lichty, was the first to step foot in our community, coming all the way from Somerset, Pennsylvania. It was the success he found in his wholesale grocery business, Smith, Lichty and Hillman Company that allowed him to settle here and start a family. A family whose foundation was centered on philanthropy, a tradition that was passed on to Marion, allowed her to become an instrumental piece in the development of the Waterloo Civic Foundation, which is the Community Foundation today. Marion was born on August 28, 1915 to George E. Lichty’s son, Burr, and his wife Winnifred Laura Cox. Winnifred, a native of Sioux City, moved to Waterloo with her family as a result of her father’s work with the Standard Oil Company finding locations for filling stations.
In her lifetime, Marion made numerous sacrifices for the betterment of our community.
In her lifetime, Marion made numerous sacrifices for the betterment of our community. She was giving of her time and talent towards its development and continuing success. However, she began by expanding her knowledge by graduating from Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri and George Washington University in Washington, D.C. Marion was also a member of the First Officers’ Training class in 1942 at Fort Des Moines, IA for the First officers of the Woman’s Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC, now known as the WAC). Although her education and military commitments expanded beyond our community, her dedication to philanthropy within our area brought her back home.
Marion spread her gift of generosity to a diverse group of organizations. However, what appealed to her most were the areas of art and recreation. For example, Marion was on the Recreation Center Board for 20 years and on the Iowa Arts Council. She also served as President for the Junior Service League and the Rensellear Russell House. Her interest and support of the arts paralleled with her passion for philanthropy, allowing for the recognition of both through a generous donation given to the Waterloo Recreation Center Building in memory of Burr Lichty, George Lichty and John Lichty. Marion was a true inspiration and spokesperson for philanthropy in our community. Her willingness to give and dedication to the cause allowed her to be an important asset to the development of the Waterloo Civic Foundation, an organization that would support the continued growth of philanthropy within our community. 1
Not only did Marion focus her energy toward encouraging philanthropy within this community; she also took time to enjoy golf and used her talent to spread the recreational sport throughout Waterloo. Her love for the sport got her involved with Iowa Women’s Golf and Junior Golf. It also gave her the opportunity and knowledge to work with Leonard Katoski as he wrote his books on the History of Golf in Waterloo. Marion worked hard to bring the LPGA to Waterloo in the early 1960’s. In recognition of the work that her and her father did for the sport of golf and the success they found on the green, both were voted into the Golf Hall of Fame in Waterloo. Following her father’s death, Marion became president of Smith, Lichty and Hillman Company, a position she held until 1995, when she passed those responsibilities to her sister and her niece. Marion passed away on November 11, 2000, but will be remembered in our community for years to come. *Historical vignette prepared by the Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa.
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