Like Mother, Like Daughter

Ms. Marjorie Jameson’s ’77 memories of Newark Academy are vivid and ever-present in her home. Ms. Jameson has saved and curated mementos from her Newark Academy school days, including distinctive reminders of her beloved mother’s volunteer leadership as a member of the 200th anniversary committee. Ms. Jameson’s mother, Sandra Selfridge Lopus Harvey, passed away in January 2022, and, in her sadness, Ms. Jameson sought an appropriate way to honor her mother’s legacy.

Sandra was a teacher. She taught 4th grade in Verona until the birth of her second child and then, well, as most mothers do, she continued to teach as she taught her children about the important lessons in life. She was always bringing them to museums, plays, and other cultural venues. She took the teachable moments in the everyday things to instill a love for learning in her children. She also instilled the sense of a greater community obligation in the form of giving of one’s time, talent, and good fortune to help those who are in need. Everyone has something to share. It can be as simple as volunteering to help by using the talents that one has or by giving to a charitable foundation or leaving a mark in a larger way with a trust in estate planning.

After a successful career in advertising, Ms. Jameson changed career paths, went back to school for her master and doctoral degrees in education, and dedicated 25 years to inspiring and educating the next generation in the fields she loved: graphic design, mass communication, and marketing. It was a second career inspired by her mother, Sandra, and one where she could give back to her community in a lasting way. She is passionate about the education of tomorrow's youth, as was her mother. This is why she has decided to include scholarships and other additional bequests to her estate planning—paying forward her good fortune to help others flourish and grow while honoring her late mother's example.

Enthusiastic about the prospect of serving in a leadership capacity for Newark Academy’s upcoming 250th anniversary, Ms. Jameson ’77 stepped forward to make a $250,000 bequest to support our Endowed Fund for Teaching and Learning along with an annual scholarship of $5,000 to a graduating senior who will be studying marketing, education, or graphic design. She also agreed to assume the responsibility of becoming the chair of our planned giving 1774 Society and work with the Office of Institutional Advancement to recruit others to the Society. Thank you, Ms. Jameson!

Ms. Jameson adds: “I love Newark Academy—and so did my mother. I had so many wonderful opportunities to learn new things and to grow as a person. Newark Academy gave me the tools to be adaptable and flexible and to not be afraid to try new things. New adventures wait around every corner; be bold and take the leap. You never know where it may lead. Making this gift now allows me to support Newark Academy and simultaneously honor my mom’s legacy. I can’t wait to help with our 250th!”

If you are interested in exploring a bequest or other related planned gifts that can benefit both Newark Academy and you, please call or email Newark Academy’s Director of Planned Giving/Advancement Services Barbara Sine at (973) 992-7000, ext. 362, or bsine@newarka.edu