Stewards of Compassion: Cordelia Scaife May’s Philanthropic Odyssey
Cordelia Scaife May, the heiress to a substantial banking fortune, left an
indelible mark on the world through her unwavering commitment to philanthropy
and environmental conservation.
Born on December 10, 1928, Cordelia was the daughter of Sarah Cordelia Mellon Scaife, an
American heiress and philanthropist, and Alan Magee Scaife, an industrialist
and president of the Scaife Company.
Cordelia Scaife May was a scion of the Mellon family, a name synonymous with wealth, philanthropy,
and influence in the United States. Her paternal grandfather, Judge Thomas
Mellon, and her uncle, Andrew W. Mellon, a Secretary of the Treasury, played
pivotal roles in shaping the nation’s economic landscape during the Great Depression.
Sarah Cordelia Mellon Scaife, Cordelia’s mother, continued the family’s tradition of
philanthropy. Born on December 10, 1903, Sarah was an heiress to the Mellon
fortune and a generous donor to various humanitarian causes. She donated tens
of millions of dollars to family planning, hospitals, disability and poverty
issues, environmental conservation, and museums in the Pittsburgh region.
Notably, her contribution of $35,000 equipped a virus research lab at the
University of Pittsburgh, where Jonas Salk developed the polio vaccine in 1955.
In honor of Sarah’s philanthropic contributions, the Carnegie Museum of Art in Pittsburgh opened
the Sarah Scaife Gallery in 1974, showcasing major works from Impressionist and
Post-Impressionist masters.
Cordelia Mellon Scaife, the younger of Sarah’s two children, was born into a life of privilege
and responsibility. In 1927, Sarah married Alan Magee Scaife, an industrialist,
and the couple had two children: Cordelia and Richard Mellon Scaife. Despite her
affluent upbringing, Cordelia was an introvert, and her reclusive nature would
characterize much of her adult life.
Her marriage to Herbert Arthur May Jr. in 1958 and subsequent divorce marked a period of
personal turmoil, but Cordelia emerged from these challenges with an enduring
commitment to philanthropy.
In 1973, she married Allegheny County District Attorney Robert Duggan. Cordelia’s dedication
to supporting worthwhile causes mirrored the values instilled by her family.
Cordelia Scaife May’s philanthropic journey was notably marked by her deep commitment to
environmental conservation and education. In her later years, she was dedicated
to protecting American Indian archaeological sites, donating much of her
Westmoreland County property to a national preservation society.
Colcom Foundation, a Pittsburgh-based charitable organization founded by
Cordelia, played a central role in her philanthropic endeavors. In her will,
Cordelia bequeathed all her personal property and Pennsylvania real estate,
including over four hundred and fifty acres in Westmoreland County, to the
foundation. Colcom Foundation, known for its commitment to environmental
conservation and sustainability, became the custodian of Cordelia’s legacy.
Cordelia’s generosity transcended geographical boundaries. Her properties on Maui and
Kauai were bequeathed to the Nature Conservancy of Hawaii and the National
Tropical Botanical Garden, respectively. Land she owned in Virginia found a
purpose in supporting the International Academy for Preventive Medicine.
Cordelia Scaife May passed away in January 2005 at the age of 76 after battling pancreatic cancer.
Her brother, Richard Scaife, remembered her as someone who had “deep
feelings for people and for causes.”
Cordelia’s dedication to environmental stewardship, education, and humanitarian causes
continues to inspire those who benefit from her philanthropic legacy. As Colcom
Foundation and other organizations carry forth her legacy, Cordelia’s
contributions to environmental conservation and philanthropy will endure,
leaving a lasting imprint on the world she sought to improve. See related link for more information.
Learn more about Cordelia Scaife May on https://dbpedia.org/page/Cordelia_Scaife_May