Gary and Mary Moden Fund
The Gary and Mary Moden Fund, established in August 2021, provides annual funding to the Blackwater Ministerial Association for food pantry needs and to the Mountaintop Public Library for building maintenance, with each organization receiving 50% of the annual distribution.
TYPE OF FUND: Designated
DATE ESTABLISHED: August 2021
PURPOSE: To provide annual funding to the Blackwater Ministerial Association and the Mountaintop Public Library. The funding for the Blackwater Ministerial Association will be designated for food pantry needs, while the funding for the Mountaintop Public Library will support building maintenance expenses. Each organization will receive 50% of the annual distribution.
DISTRIBUTION: To Blackwater Ministerial Association and the Mountaintop Public Library on the recommendation of the Grants Committee and final approval by the Board of Directors of TCF.
VARIANCE POWER: If, in the judgment of the TCF Board of Directors, the restrictions and conditions of the fund become unnecessary, incapable of fulfillment, or inconsistent with the charitable needs of the community, the TCF Board of Directors maintains the right to modify the terms of this fund.
FUNDING: Initial funding provided by Gary and Mary Moden through a required minimum distribution (RMD) from one of Gary Moden’s IRAs in the current calendar year to establish the fund. The Modens plan to make additional contributions in future years, with the majority of future funding coming from their IRAs. After both Gary and Mary Moden are deceased, the Tucker Community Foundation and the Gary and Mary Moden Fund will receive 20% of the balances of all their remaining IRAs.
BACKGROUND: Gary and Mary Moden are originally from Minnesota. Gary earned his BA and MA from Minnesota State University and his PhD from the University of Missouri. Mary earned her BA from Lea College, a BS from the University of Missouri, and pursued graduate studies at Ohio University.
Gary spent 47 years working in higher education at four different institutions, with most of his career at the University of Missouri (6 years) and Ohio University (37 years). At Ohio University, he held both administrative and faculty positions, overseeing institutional research, planning, and budgeting, and teaching graduate students in these fields.
Mary taught in public schools for over 30 years in Missouri and Ohio, working with students from first to eighth grade and teaching reading, English, and social studies. She also supervised student teachers for the Ohio University College of Education.
The Modens have two sons and six grandchildren. They have owned property in Canaan Valley since 1987, first in Deerfield Village, and since 1998 in Timberline, where they became full-time West Virginia residents in 2007.
They are active in several local organizations, including the Davis Memorial Presbyterian Church in Elkins, where Gary serves as an Elder. Both are involved with the Friends of the Mountaintop Public Library, with Gary serving as Treasurer. Mary has served as president of the Canaan Valley Women’s Association and is a member of the Canaan Valley Fire Department Auxiliary.
