Donald and Edith Seymour Memorial Scholarship

Established March 1999

By Mrs. Gail Seymour

Edith Minkwitz Seymour was the third daughter of four children born in 1915. Her two sisters and she were all musical, playing the piano and singing. Her older sister paid for vocal lessons for her and she became a frequent paid soloist at local churches both during and after she completed school at New Britain Teacher’s College in 1933. In fact, Edith sang with her future father-in-law, Harold Seymour, a tenor soloist, at the First Baptist Church in Waterbury, Connecticut.

Edith was also interested in antiques and purchased an antique maple rope bed. Edith was asking for help in converting the bed to use springs and a mattress, and Harold Seymour suggested that his son Donald might be able to help her. Edith always said that she met her future husband when he was sitting in the middle of her bed! Her daughter still owns the rope bed.

Donald Cook Seymour was born in 1918 in Watertown, Connecticut. He completed high school at Oliver Wolcott Technical School and worked for Watertown Building Supply after serving in the United States Army in the Philippines during World War II. Donald and Edith married in 1947 and the five children arrived soon after, from 1954 to 1961.

Both Edith and Donald shared a strong conviction about the importance of education that was instilled in all their children. Donald was a driving force in his family for advanced education in part because he never achieved that goal for himself. Through his and Edith’s efforts, their five children have thirteen degrees among them, and are all lifelong and continuing learners. Their children continue to help educate their children, nieces, nephews, grandchildren and friends.