This page is aimed at raising funds to build a new faculty house at Northfield Mount Hermon honoring longtime math teacher, department chair, dean, coach, and mentor Mec Peller, who passed away in 1997 after a four-month battle with lung cancer. The four-bedroom Mec Peller Faculty House was designed by Doug Wilk ’83, and the fundraising campaign was kicked off with a lead gift made by Cyndy Gelsth
orpe Fish ’78.
“There are many alums who were deeply connected to the Pellers and were welcomed into their home like family during their years at NMH,” Fish says. “Honoring Mec in this way is so appropriate because of the manner in which she opened her door to all.”
A groundbreaking ceremony was held during Reunion 2013 in June. The goal is to raise $500,000, and $260,000 has already been donated. Additional funds are still needed to complete construction by spring 2014. To view the "My Memories of Mec Book," a compilation of memories sent to Dick Peller P’97, ’98 and NMH by alumni and friends, please go to http://www.nmhschool.org/sites/default/files/sites/default/files/uploads/MecPellerBookPart1.pdf. Your memories of Mec are always welcome and will be added to the book mentioned above. Send written thoughts and photos to [email protected]. All donors to this project will be invited to the dedication ceremony this spring. A note from Dick Peller:
“It was at a lunch that I shared with Cyndy Gelsthorpe Fish '78 in March 2010 that this idea became clear. Cyndy helped me to see that what so many remember most about Mec was her hospitality―how she made everyone feel welcome and safe and loved in our home. While in middle school, my son, Michael, wrote an essay entitled 'The Kitchen People,' which was about the many students and friends whom he met in our kitchen in Dickerson House, students whom he came to love and consider as family.
“It brings me much joy to know that long after I am gone from these hills, the Mec Peller Faculty House will provide the possibility for bringing students and faculty together in much the same way that Mec did for so many years.”
