“Every Kid Needs a Lift and a Push”

Through their support of URI, Peter and Mary Madden have provided it

“Peter always appreciated his URI education and public higher education in general. When we sat down to do our own estate plan, we prioritized the family and our alma maters. Of course, we communicated the details of our estate plan to our sons while Peter was alive. It was important to us that they understood our choices.”
—Mary Madden

The late Peter Madden ’61 M.A.’70 worked with thousands of people to help them set up estate plans to protect themselves, their families, and beloved charitable organizations. His mantra was “No probate!”

“He loved teaching, which is why he was such a good estate lawyer,” said his wife, Mary Madden. “He wanted to help people, so he would do workshops about estate planning. Too many people do not know how to protect their assets for themselves and their families. Peter enjoyed what he did so much that he was still working at 84.”

Peter and Mary were teachers at North Providence High School when Peter began going to law school at night. Peter had three sons from his first marriage and he and Mary juggled the responsibilities of working, parenting, and Peter’s studies. It was an enduring partnership that lasted for 45 years.

“Peter always appreciated his URI education and public higher education in general,” said Mary. “When we sat down to do our own estate plan, we prioritized the family and our alma maters.” “Of course,” she continued, “we communicated the details of our estate plan to our sons while Peter was alive. It was important to us that they understood our choices.”

The Maddens have a long tradition of supporting URI. In the 80s, they began giving to RhodyNow to make an immediate impact. Later, the couple established the Edward E. and Louise E. Madden Scholarship, an endowed scholarship in honor of Peter’s parents. By splitting their giving between current use funds and future funds in their estate plan, the couple has maximized their impact without solely using cash.

Another passion of Peter and Mary’s was supporting the Green Hall restoration. “I have taken our grandchildren to see our plaque in Green Hall, so they understand the importance of philanthropy,” said Mary. She knows that part of keeping Peter’s memory alive is communicating to their family just how significant giving back was to him.

“One of our grandkids was wondering if giving does any good—then he read that the URI scholarship benefits first-generation students, and he was touched by that,” said Mary.

“‘Every kid needs a lift and a push,’ she says. “That was one of Peter’s favorite sayings.”

URI students and alumni continue to do great things because of Peter and Mary. The University is deeply grateful for their kindness and for their foresight in recognizing that a legacy gift could create a transformative impact for URI students. Contact Office of Gift Planning at 401.874.7900 or plannedgiving@uri.edu to learn more.