By Linda Mazur

Linda Mazur

Leaving a legacy gift allows me to give back and to pay it forward to the teachers, staff and community of Oakwood School. Sending David ’18 and Laura ’19 to an independent school like Oakwood was an investment in them, and in our family. The daily interactions over 14+ years, the guidance, friendships, and the learning and growth—academically, artistically and athletically—they all made that investment worthwhile.

The impact continues even after graduation. It may seem like a small thing, but we have a dog today—two actually—because first-grade teacher Sally impressed on Steve and me in a parent-teacher conference just how much Laura wanted a dog. Beloved Twinkle (named by a first-grader) passed on before the pandemic, but I will always remember Sally with gratitude for the gift she gave our family through her wise counsel to get our daughter a dog.

Other gifts and memories abound—performances, sports, trips and friendships. And that’s the point. Oakwood was a huge part of the daily life of our family for nearly 15 years. Remembering Oakwood through a legacy gift is a personally meaningful way for me to acknowledge and express gratitude for the important role the school played in my life and the life of my family. Thank you, Oakwood!