The Upstate Foundation recently received a $1.7 million residuary gift from the estate of Marilyn C. Miller, a former longtime teacher in the Syracuse City School District who passed away in 2021. A residuary clause in a will gives the remainder of an estate to a specified recipient, in this case, the Upstate Foundation. The remainder is simply all the assets left over after all other gifts and estate expenses have been paid.

In 2022, the Foundation received a $600,000 legacy gift from Miller and was very grateful for her generosity.

“The $600,000 was pledged before Marilyn passed away,” explained Eileen Pezzi, vice president for development at Upstate. “Having devoted her entire career to guiding and teaching students, she wanted the money to be used to help children, particularly those facing life’s challenges.”

Consequently, the pediatric and adolescent unit in Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital was named in her memory, as well as those of her parents. The Frieda, Morris and Marilyn Miller Pediatric & Adolescent Unit is located on the twelfth floor of the hospital.

The residuary gift will be shared by the departments of pediatrics and psychiatry—with a portion being contributed to the Foundation’s current campaign for child and adolescent mental health.

Caption: Marilyn C. Miller, a former Syracuse City School district teacher, has donated a total of $2.3 million to the Upstate Foundation.