Michael Marshall and Melissa Palmer

By Melissa Palmer

As a family, we represent every constituency that Oakwood serves—faculty and staff, students, parents and alumni. Oakwood has given me a most fulfilling profession in college counseling; Jojo ‘20 and Clara ‘22 their K-12 educations; and Michael an amazing volunteer experience serving on Oakwood’s Board of Trustees.

As Oakwood parents for sixteen years, Michael and I experienced, again and again, the joy and the privilege of witnessing those moments (and there were many!) when our girls were seen, appreciated, loved and inspired by a brilliant faculty.

Choosing to include Oakwood in our wills—providing a legacy gift that will help to ensure that Oakwood remains a special place for future generations of faculty, students and families—was one of the easiest decisions Michael and I have ever made.

From the moment I stepped on campus in 1992 to work in the Advancement Office, I was aware that Oakwood’s existence as an institution was only possible because of gifts that families had made generations before I arrived.

What’s more, they were gifts given long after their daily association with the school ended, gifts that would benefit families they would never know. Our hope is that others who want to ensure that the Oakwood experience is available for generations to come will join us in this effort to guarantee a future for this most amazing place.

You can make a lasting impact at Oakwood—like Melissa and Michael did—through a planned gift. Contact Nancy Leptuch Virrey at 818-732-3174 or nleptuch@oakwoodschool.org to learn more.