Donor Report Web Exclusive

Honouring Past Lives

The story of Mount Allison is, to a certain extent, a story of generations of family members who have attended this venerable institution.

December 16, 1941 marked a turning point, both for Mount Allison and for Suzanne Farrer Irving and her family.  Suzanne’s brother, Frederick Keillor Farrer, sadly perished in the men’s residence fire that began late that evening.

Frederick Farrer had been a sophomore student in pre-med when he lost his life at the young age of 19.  Three other Mount Allison students also lost their lives.  Frederick’s father, Isaac Keillor Farrer, had attended Mount Allison in 1912 before enrolling at the Baltimore College of Dental Surgery. Isaac’s brother William and sister Maude also went to Mount Allison, the former completing his degree in 1914 in preparation for his studies in Law at Dalhousie University, before beginning his practice of law in Los Angeles.

Generations of families like the Farrers have made it a choice to attend Mount Allison and to go on to do great things in the world in which they live.  As the Student Centre awaits its grand opening on September 27, we are delighted to announce that John E. Irving and Suzanne Farrer Irving, along with their children, Anne (Irving) Oxley and John Keillor Farrer Irving, will perpetuate the memory of Frederick Keillor Farrer, with a $100,000 gift toward the Student Centre.

This generous donation will cover the costs of creating the reception area for the Students’ Administrative Council.  The memory of Frederick Keillor Farrer provides us with a legacy that will benefit future generations of student leaders who will go on to be engaged citizens of the world.