Greater Jefferson County Foundation Scholarship Series - Part 2

[This is second in a series of informative articles regarding the scholarships available from The Greater Jefferson County Foundation.]

The third scholarship to be created was the Leona F. Nady Memorial Music Scholarship by her family in 1992. Miss Nady had a deep love not only of music, but she cared about young people, and that is why this scholarship was established

Miss Nady was born in rural Jefferson County on Valentine’s Day in 1904. Her mother died when Leona was 3 years old, but she was raised by her loving father.

She attended elementary boarding school at St. Joseph’s in Ottumwa, and secondary schooling in Fairfield, graduating FHS in 1922. Leona attended the College of Saint Teresa in Winona, MN for 2 years and enrolled at Parsons, graduating in 1927 with a Bachelor of Music, with special areas of studies including music, organ and French.

Miss Nady taught piano in Fairfield and moved to Chicago intent on teaching, but during the Depression, there wasn’t much cause (or funds) for piano lessons. She became employed by Commonwealth Edison (ConEd) and worked there until her retirement in 1969.

Leona enjoyed traveling the U.S. and after retirement traveled extensively in Europe over the year. She returned to Iowa in 1989 and died in 1991 at the age of 87.

The Leona F. Nady Memorial Scholarship of $1,000.00 annually is for a graduating FHS senior student who has and will continue to study music and will pursue a career in music.

One year later, the Leo L. and Marion M. Nady Memorial Scholarship was created by their children. Both Mr. and Mrs. Nady were lifelong residents of Jefferson County. For many years, they owned and operated a farm adjacent to Fairfield. They were active church members and were interested in antiques and music.

This scholarship is for either FHS or Pekin graduating senior students who will be studying Agriculture and/or Ag/Business and disbursed in the amount of $1,000.00.

In 1994, The Nellie T. Neff Memorial Scholarship was created by her husband, Julius C. Neff of Euclid, OH. Mrs. Neff was a physical education instructor in the Cleveland, OH public schools for 14 years. During that time, she excelled in Field Hockey and other sporting activities.

Her love of gardening came after her marriage to Julius in 1945. She was actively involved in the western Reserve Chapter of the Herb Society of America where she earned the highest award presented by that organization. Mrs. Neff was President of the Chapter when a new herb garden was constructed that earned national recognition adjacent to the Garden Center of Greater Cleveland.

This scholarship is for an FHS graduating senior in the amount of $1,000.00 who is going into the field of Physical Education, Horticulture or Biology.

The 2025 scholarship application process will begin December 1, 2024 with a deadline of February 1, 2025. Both Pekin and FHS senior students are encouraged to apply. Online applications will be available on the application website at www.gjcfscholarships.org. For more information, contact the Foundation at gjcf0758@windstream.net or call 641-472-0758.