News Detail
My Family Connection: Mary “Bartie” Riggs Cole ’52
My family has a deep and special connection with Calvert School that dates back to its inception. My great uncle and founder of Calvert School, Isaac H. Dixon, planted the seed in 1897 for what has now grown into the School that we all love. My grandfather, John S. Gibbs, was Chairman of the Calvert Board of Trustees from 1919 to 1920 and again from 1921 to 1923, and my mother, Mary Bartlett Gibbs Riggs ’23 also served on the Board from 1942 to 1953. Due to our long family history and continued involvement with Calvert, Charlie and I are delighted to participate in the Hillyer Society.
As a student, I have many fond memories of walking with my cousins, Johnny ’48, Mimi ’51, and Dickie ’53 Gibbs, from school to their home at 2 Oak Place, the former residence of Calvert’s Head Master. I also relished the times that my brothers, Lawrie ’47 and Frank ’51 Riggs, and I carpooled to Calvert with Mr. Perry, who was the Boy’s Athletic Director at the time. As I think back over the many memories that I have, my Calvert experience has been essential in making me the person I am today.
Charlie and I felt so strongly about the quality of education that Calvert provided, that we agreed to send our two daughters, Bee ’75 and Kathy ’79, there as well. Kathy continues to be involved serving as a trustee from 2003 to 2009 and is currently a Fifth Grade teacher in the Middle School. Kathy’s two daughters, Maclean ’10 and Liza ’12, are also proud Calvert graduates, and Charlie is honored to be serving on Calvert’s investment committee.
The entire Cole family feels so very fortunate to be a part of the Calvert community. We hope that by supporting Calvert in various ways, including the Hillyer Society, this strong institution will continue to thrive going forward.
The Hillyer Society is Calvert’s recognition society for those who have included Calvert in their estate plans. For more information on how you can become a member of the Hillyer Society, please contact Kerry Johnston, Director of Development, at 410.243.6054 ext. 141 or kjohnston@calvertschoolmd.org.
Calvert School is a coed independent lower and middle school.
