Lucy McLean grew up in Utica and pursued a career with the U.S. Customs Agency. She became the first female inspector at the U.S. Port at Alexandria Bay, NY, among other assignments.
Neither Lucy nor her sister Ellen married or had children. Fredericka, a third sister, married late in life and after her spouse passed away she moved into her sisters’ home in DeWitt. The three lived together until Fredericka’s death in 2006. Ellen followed six years later.
When Lucy passed away in 2020 at the age of 96, she named the Community Foundation along with three other charities to receive a surprise bequest. Lucy chose to support causes that were important to both her and her sisters and which honored their connection to Central New York and the Mohawk Valley.
Lucy’s legacy gifts, all of which were unrestricted, are an excellent example of the concept behind 5forCNY, which encourages people who care about Central New York to consider leaving lasting gifts to local nonprofits. Lucy did just that through her bequest to the Community Foundation and other nonprofits.
Lucy’s gift to the Community Foundation, like so many others, will provide enduring and transformative support for future generations. A portion of her gift helped to endow the 5forCNY Fund, which pools dollars from generous community members seeking to make a difference. The remaining portion will provide ongoing support to address the community’s greatest needs through the Lucy McLean Community Fund.
