The Community Foundation works alongside community members to not only meet the needs and opportunities of today but also help shape our communities for generations to come. Pete and Mary Jane Vincent were among those thoughtful visionaries who chose to make their final gift one that would carry their values forward long into the future.

Toward the end of their lives, Pete and Mary Jane faced a question many people consider: How could they leave a meaningful legacy? “Initially, they considered leaving their estate to family members, including my siblings and me,” said their niece, Nancy Little. “While touched by their generosity, I knew they wanted something more—a way for their lives to have a lasting impact beyond their immediate circle. That’s when I introduced them to the idea of legacy giving through the Community Foundation.”

By establishing a scholarship fund through their estate, Pete and Mary Jane could ensure their values as a hardworking Navy veteran and a community-minded couple would continue to touch the lives of future generations.

“Peace of mind is what we often hear donors say they find after finalizing their estate gift,” said Jackie Hanton, Vice President at the Community Foundation. “For the Vincents, they may not have had children, but they knew that long after they were gone, investing in the ‘average’ student from Port Huron would carry their story forward and give someone the same opportunity Pete once had—to earn a degree.”

Pete and Mary Jane were both born and raised in Port Huron. They graduated from Port Huron High School—Pete in 1942 and Mary Jane in 1944—and shared similar upbringings shaped by responsibility and hard work. Pete was raised by his single mother, who was a seamstress, after his parents divorced. Mary Jane’s father worked as an engineer for the Grand Trunk Railroad.

Pete’s life experiences helped shape the focus of their fund. After graduating from high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served during World War II, first in the North Atlantic aboard the destroyer USS John H. Upshur and later in the South Pacific on the USS Wallace L. Lind. While Pete was still on active duty, he and Mary Jane were married on May 13, 1946. He was stationed at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans in Belle Chasse, Louisiana, and the couple lived in New Orleans until Pete completed his service.

After his discharge from the Navy, Pete attended Central Michigan University on the G.I. Bill while working full time. He often described his academic performance as “average—nothing to set the world on fire.” He earned a degree in Physical Education and went on to work for the Boy Scouts of America. His career took him to several locations across the United States and eventually to Orléans, Loiret, Centre-Val de Loire, France, where he helped establish and support Boy Scout units serving American and international communities, including U.S. military families, the American Embassy, American and international schools, and multinational organizations.

While living in France, Pete and Mary Jane traveled throughout Europe. After Pete retired, they returned to Port Huron. Although they never had children, they increasingly focused on how their estate could be used to support students whose educational paths mirrored Pete’s.

The Everett D. “Pete” Vincent and Mary Jane Vincent Scholarship Fund was established through their estate in 2021. The fund supports students from Port Huron pursuing a degree in Physical Education at Central Michigan University, particularly those who may not qualify for traditional merit-based scholarships.

Pete and Mary Jane remained engaged with the Community Foundation after finalizing their plans. He once stopped by the office and remarked, “I’m down there on their wall along with all the town big wigs!” Proof that a hardworking community member who spent most of his life as a teacher could have just as important an impact alongside some of our town’s most notable names.

“Pete had confidence that he and Mary Jane’s decision to work with the Community Foundation was the right one. And they can be proud that average students who might otherwise be overlooked for scholarships continue to benefit today in their names,” Hanton said.

For those interested in establishing a legacy through the Community Foundation, more information is available by contacting Jackie at jackie@stclairfoundation.org, calling 810-984-4761, or visiting the Giving Center on the Foundation’s website.