Mona Wheatly, a long-time development officer for Middlebury College in Vermont, died late last year at her home in Dallas, Texas. She was 87 years old.
A native of Cleveland, Wheatley grew up in nearby Pepper Pike, Ohio. She earned a bachelor’s degree at Middlebury College and a master’s degree at Boston University. She then taught at Center School in Bedford, Massachusetts. During this time, she organized nationwide phonathons to raise money for her alma mater.
Her fundraising success compelled Middlebury College to hire her in 1980 as director of annual funds. She served in many roles in the development office, culminating in her fundraising work for Middlebury’s bicentennial celebration in 2000. In 1986, she endowed the Ann and Edward Meyers Prize at Middlebury in honor of her parents. The award is given to a graduating senior who, in the judgment of the religion department faculty, has given evidence of exceptional ability in understanding, expression, and integration of ideas in the area of religious study.
After retiring from the college, Wheatly moved to Nantucket and worked in an antique shop. She wintered on Sanibel Island in Florida. She later moved to a retirement community in Dallas.