Cordelia Scaife May: A Philanthropic Legacy of Generosity and Environmental Stewardship

Cordelia Scaife May, the heiress to a substantial banking fortune, has left an indelible mark
on the world through her unwavering commitment to philanthropy and
environmental conservation. Born on December 10, 1928, Cordelia was the
daughter of Sarah Cordelia Mellon Scaife, an American heiress and
philanthropist, and Alan Magee Scaife, an industrialist and president of the
Scaife Company. 

Cordelia Scaife May, a scion of the Mellon family, a name synonymous with
wealth, philanthropy, and influence in the United States. Her paternal
grandfather, Judge Thomas Mellon, and her uncle, Andrew W. Mellon, a Secretary
of the Treasury, played pivotal roles in shaping the nation’s economic
landscape during the Great Depression. The Mellon fortune included significant
holdings in Mellon Bank, Gulf Oil, and Alcoa, establishing the family as one of
the wealthiest in the country. 

Sarah Cordelia Mellon Scaife, Cordelia’s mother, continued the family’s tradition of
philanthropy. Born on December 10, 1903, Sarah was an heiress to the Mellon
fortune and a generous donor to various humanitarian causes. She donated tens
of millions of dollars to family planning, hospitals, disability and poverty
issues, environmental conservation, and museums in the Pittsburgh region. In
honor of Sarah’s philanthropic contributions, the Carnegie Museum of Art in
Pittsburgh opened the Sarah Scaife Gallery in 1974, showcasing major works from
Impressionist and Post-Impressionist masters. 

Cordelia Mellon Scaife, the younger of Sarah’s two children, was born into a life of privilege
and responsibility. In 1927, Sarah married Alan Magee Scaife, an industrialist,
and the couple had two children: Cordelia and Richard Mellon Scaife. Despite her
affluent upbringing, Cordelia was an introvert, and her reclusive nature would
characterize much of her adult life. 

Cordelia Scaife May’s philanthropic journey was notably marked by her deep commitment to
environmental conservation and education. In her later years, she dedicated
herself to protecting American Indian archaeological sites, donating much of
her Westmoreland County property to a national preservation society. Her focus
on environmentalism also extended to supporting limits on immigration, driven
by her belief that unchecked human population growth, urbanization, and
migration to larger cities had significant environmental implications. 

Colcom Foundation, a Pittsburgh-based charitable organization founded by
Cordelia, played a central role in her philanthropic endeavors. In her will,
Cordelia bequeathed all her personal property and Pennsylvania real estate,
including over four hundred and fifty acres in Westmoreland County, to the
foundation. Colcom Foundation, known for its commitment to environmental
conservation and sustainability, became the custodian of Cordelia’s legacy. 

Cordelia Scaife May’s legacy extends beyond borders. Her properties on Maui and
Kauai were bequeathed to the Nature Conservancy of Hawaii and the National
Tropical Botanical Garden, respectively. Land she owned in Virginia found a
purpose in supporting the International Academy for Preventive Medicine. 

Cordelia Scaife May passed away in January 2005 at the age of 76 after battling pancreatic cancer.
Her dedication to environmental stewardship, education, and humanitarian causes
continues to inspire those who benefit from her philanthropic legacy. As Colcom
Foundation and other organizations carry forth her legacy, Cordelia’s
contributions to environmental conservation and philanthropy will endure,
leaving a lasting imprint on the world she sought to improve. Refer to this article for related information. 

Learn more about Cordelia Scaife May on https://www.geni.com/people/Cordelia-Scaife/293596912340001359