This donor advised fund was established in 2024 after Mary Teresa Daley Hobson’s death by her children as loving tribute to their mother Mary, father Walter, family, and the IDA FEMS. Mary was a Southington para-professional, lifelong educator, and humble leader. She was a role model and mentor to many in all aspects of her life. She lived love. She had a knack for making and maintaining connections throughout her life. This fund will support grants generally to help women, girls and children in Southington who are in need of assistance with emphasis on basic needs, health, safety, education, athletics, leadership development, or employment opportunities.

Mary and seven friends started the IDA FEMS via the Meriden YWCA in 1941. This eventual 10 member group embodied dedicated friendship, close connections, service to each other and community, religious faithfulness and the power of women’s leadership over 80 years. The full name of the IDA FEMS, the Ideal Feminine Society, was only revealed in 2017 on agreement by the two remaining living members at that time. The IDA FEMS will always be remembered as Dorothea Caivano Roy, Helen Cuccaro LeTourneau, Catherine Daley Pekoske, Mary Daley Hobson, Lucille Dolce, Marie Emerling Rose, Laverne Hobson Walter, Elizabeth Hogan Ferretti, Barbara Patkoske Westermeyer, and Edith Sackey Wieloch.