A lifetime of investing leads to a significant legacy

Marguerite Picard lived a very simple life and was a very astute investor. When she passed in 2016 at the age of 100, her estate plans included significant gifts to several organizations which were meaningful to her. As a University of Maine graduate from the class of 1938 and a member of the Delta Delta Delta sorority, UMaine held a special place in her heart. Along with support for her sorority, Miss Picard established, through her estate, a $1.8 million endowed scholarship, The Marguerite M. Picard Scholarship Fund, to benefit deserving students at her alma mater. Her education in romance languages had been important to her along with a lifelong interest in language and liberal arts and sciences.

Miss Picard was employed by the State of Maine for 34 years. When she retired she was a research analyst at the Maine Department of Manpower Affairs.

Miss Picard’s scholarship fund has become her perpetual legacy. Each year she will be fondly remembered by UMaine students who receive much-needed financial support to study, like Miss Picard, at the University of Maine. Those students will earn their degrees, many may be motivated to support future UMaine students, and the circle of education and philanthropy will continue to grow. We can only imagine how many future generations will be changed by Miss Picard’s generosity.