Patricia Livingston and Charlotte Livingston ’89

Each member of the Society of 1912 has their own compelling reason to leave an estate gift to McGehee: this is Charlotte and Patricia’s story.

Charlotte, you and your mother Patricia have included McGehee in your estate plans. Can you share why you chose to honor your alma mater with this very special gift?

My parents separated in the late 70's, a time when there were very few other girls at McGehee being raised by a single mother. My mother later told me that she cried at the end of that school year, as she knew she wouldn't be able to afford for me to return. Little did she know that school would do everything necessary in order to allow me to complete my education there. Tuition support allowed me to graduate with pride from McGehee. That meant that I was nurtured; well-educated; surrounded by wonderful teachers and classmates; participated in all of the special traditions of the school; exposed to the fine arts and even created some of my own; competed in track, cross country, and soccer as a proud Hawk; and finally, donned my pink dress in May of 1989. My life would be entirely different had I not had the McGehee Advantage and my mother and I are eternally grateful for that gift. We know it is not financially feasible for everyone to provide such an amazing education (and so much more) to their daughters. Therefore, we want to do our part to help other families send their daughters to McGehee. We want to leave a legacy.

Patricia Kennedy Livingston was the editor of the "Uptown Line" column of The Times-Picayune, Paul Prudhomme's cook books and contributed to the book New Orleans Cuisine: Fourteen Signature Dishes and their Histories published by the University of Mississippi Press.

Charlotte is the Co-owner and Director of Marketing and Community Outreach at Rent-A- Nerd, Inc. She has been chosen as a Woman of the Year honoree by New Orleans CityBusiness magazine for her professional and community achievements. Charlotte is also a published writer and author; her most recent book, Glimpses of Heaven on Earth, was the 2014 Living Now Book Award Bronze Medal Winner in the Social Activism/Charity category.