THE MARY G. (KERWIN) LOCKE ’18, ’58 ENDOWED MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

Criteria: This $1,000 scholarship is awarded annually to a non-traditional student having a strong motivation to teach young children and with at least a 2.7 to 3.0 GPA entering sophomore, junior or senior years.

This scholarship is given in memory of Mary G. (Kerwin) Locke, a 1918 graduate of Worcester Normal School with a teaching certificate and Worcester State Teacher’s College in 1958 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education. As a non-traditional student, Mary managed to keep up with a husband, two daughters and all the demands of family life including running a household and the family “bus.” Unusual for women in the 1950s, Mary had the ability to juggle her challenging roles with good humor and patience.

Mary was born in 1899 and grew up in Worcester, graduating from Classical High School in 1916. After graduating from Worcester Normal School in 1918, her first teaching job was in Connecticut where she was housed with a farm family and rode on the farmer’s buckboard to and from school with the children in the family. After that first year she was appointed to a teaching position in Worcester. She taught in several schools in the city. Her strong musical background, love of music and skilled storytelling enhanced her ability to create a wonderful classroom learning environment for young children.

In 1937, Mary married Dr. John A. Locke, a practicing optometrist in Worcester. Together, they raised their two daughters, Frances and Paula. For Mary, family life took over until the girls completed elementary school. Her next full time teaching position was in Webster, MA and it was the one from which she retired from full time teaching. Once retired, she became a substitute in Worcester for several years. By then, daughter Paula (‘64) was teaching in Worcester. They often enjoyed sharing ideas, teaching tips and events of the day over a good cup of coffee.

Both Mary and John Locke had musical talent. Mary was known to accompany young students on the piano in shows and classrooms as well as groups of all ages. Mary had skill on the ivories and John played in more of a honky tonk style. Their duets were truly something to behold. As they had done throughout their adult lives, they continued to entertain groups with their music in the living center where they spent their later years.

This scholarship honors Mary Locke, a terrific mom, musician and remarkably effective teacher of young children.