Late Peabody High Alumna Leaves More Than $1 Million To Schools

PEABODY, MA — A Peabody Veterans Memorial High School alumna who passed away two years ago left more than $1 million to Peabody Public Schools as part of donating her entire estate to nonprofits and charitable organizations.

Dr. Ruth Shoer Rappaport, a 1953 PVMS alumna who died on April 28, 2020, had no surviving immediate family members.

In her will, Rappaport bequeathed a portion of her estate to Peabody Veterans Memorial High School, to be used to create the Irving and Jennie Pearl Shoer Family Endowment, which she named after her parents.

"The students of Peabody Veterans Memorial High School, and all of the Peabody community, are blessed by the generosity of Dr. Rappaport, who never forgot her hometown or alma mater even as she achieved greatness in her life and moved away from the area," Peabody Superintendent
Josh Vadala said. "We are thankful for this extraordinary gift that will help to motivate and reward Peabody students who strive to achieve, while also illustrating the importance of generosity that we try to instill in all members of our school community."

Rappaport attended Vassar College and Yale University before becoming the first female scientist ever hired by Wyeth Laboratories. Her research helped develop several vaccines. She became the Senior Director of Clinical Immunology and Virology for the company, which was later bought by Pfizer.

Net income from the fund will be used to purchase the 14-karat gold George Peabody Medals that are awarded each year to the top six students in the graduating class of Peabody High School.

Excess income may be used to buy or rent musical instruments, to pay guest artists or conductors, for stipends for individualized music lessons, or for scholarships for high-achieving students attending college or trade schools.

The funds were distributed in an initial payment of $935,000, followed by a second payment of $125,000 late last year. A third payment is expected to be sent in June as the estate's assets become fully available.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)