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Dee Molinari ’58 Blends Gifts to Create Music Scholarship and Support Visual Arts

As the oldest of four children in a family of modest means, Deanne “Dee” Molinari ’58 never thought she would attend the University of Rochester. “Two of my high school teachers pulled me aside one day and urged me to apply to Rochester,” Dee recalled. With their encouragement and support, she applied, was accepted, and received the financial aid she needed to attend. Now Dee, a Founding Member of the Wilson Society, is giving back by creating a scholarship fund with a blend of two gifts: a charitable gift annuity and a provision in her will.

The Molinari Family Scholarship Fund at the Eastman School of Music pays tribute to her family’s love for music and ensures that talented students will have the financial support for a world-class education. The gift annuity that is helping to endow the fund pays Dee a rate of 6 percent for life.

“My University of Rochester education helped open so many doors and created many opportunities for me to learn and to grow,” Dee said. “I am grateful to the educators who saw possibilities for my life that I could not see for myself. If I can help others reach their potential, then I will have put my money to good use.”

It was during Dee’s sophomore year (when the women of Prince Street moved to the River Campus) that she discovered her passion and calling. “I became very involved in student government and worked alongside University administrators who were wonderful women who nurtured my growth,” she said. Following graduate school, Dee went on to a long and rewarding career as a student life administrator.

Dee has made careful philanthropic planning a priority in her life and has included a provision in her will to establish the Dee Molinari Education Fund at the University of Rochester’s Memorial Art Gallery (where she is a longtime volunteer).

“I want my money to go to the things I value,” Dee said.  “Planning has helped make this possible.”