For This Ancient, Giving to Miss Porter’s School Is a Family Matter

For Marie “Missy” Kalat ’67, Miss Porter’s School is more than a place of education—it’s an integral part of her family’s fabric. “Miss Porter’s has always been part of us,” Missy explains of her family because both she and her mother are Ancients.

So when Missy came upon her mother’s MPS charm bracelet last year, she instantly knew where it belonged. Transferring the bracelet to Head of School Kate Windsor (who proudly displays it in her office) was only one way that the Kalat family has shown their generosity to the School.

Missy’s mother, Virginia “Peach” Kalat ’39 created The Kalat Fund for National & International Resources and The Virginia Lowry Kalat ’39 Fund and made donations for the Ceramic Studio, which displays both her and Missy’s names on the door plaque. Missy has also made Miss Porter’s the beneficiary of her family trust and dedicated a large portion of her estate to the School, earning her a place in the Moonbeams Circle.

For Missy, there are three main reasons she decided to pass on part of her estate to Miss Porter’s. The first is wanting to honor and carry on the legacy of her mother. The second is to thank the School for bringing one of her best friends into her life: her former roommate, who is like a “second sister.” The third is the legacy that Miss Porter’s carries.

“I have no qualms that [my money] will be used for good purposes, both for the students presently there and the students going forward."