Woman leaves legacy of care
Philanthropist Rachel Mellon Walton, whose generosity supported a hospital, museum, symphony and shelter for battered women, died Thursday at her Oakland residence. She was 107.
The daughter of Gulf Oil Corp. founder William Larimer Mellon, Mrs. Walton during her lifetime became a benefactor to the arts, music, medicine, education, conservation and the welfare of women.
Among her most notable endowments was financial support for the Albert Schweitzer Hospital, founded by her late brother, Dr. William Larimer Mellon Jr., in Deschapelles, Haiti. She later endowed the chair for the first oboe of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra in her brother's memory.
"The hospital was, and continues to be, a great morale booster for the people of Haiti" and helped them to obtain legitimate medical aid, said retired surgeon Dr. Bayley Buchanan, of Oakland, who volunteered his services at Albert Schweitzer Hospital in 1967.
"Rachel Walton supported her brother when he decided to build the hospital and continued to support his efforts," Buchanan said.
Elsie Hillman, of Squirrel Hill, a former Republican national committeewoman and the wife of billionaire industrialist Henry L. Hillman, counted Mrs. Walton among her closest friends - referring to her as her "second mother."
"She was someone I could go to after my mother died," Elsie Hillman said. "She loved our children and grandchildren, and we loved her dearly. Mrs. Walton was very low-key about her numerous commitments, but she committed herself to helping others."
Reared in Pittsburgh's East End, Rachel Mellon was one of four children of William Larimer and Mary "May" Taylor Mellon.
As a young woman, she attended the Dobbs Ferry School in Dobbs Ferry, N.Y. In 1922, she married John Walton Jr., whose family had roots in Old Allegheny. At the time, her husband was employed by Alcoa, before joining the oil company founded by her father.
"My parents spent four years in Wisconsin, while my father was employed by Alcoa," said her son, James Walton, retired president of the Carnegie Institute and Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh.
"My mother was basically a devoted wife and mother, who, prior to my father's death in 1974, enjoyed the comfort of her home and raising her children," Walton said. "We can still remember the family gatherings during the holidays, especially the Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter holidays.
"My mother was a classy lady who loved people and went out of her way to lend a hand to anyone who was hurting or needed help."
Mrs. Walton's volunteerism and philanthropy included support for the symphony; the Walton Hall of Ancient Egypt at The Carnegie; the Carnegie Mellon Graduate School of Industrial Administration; and the Women's Center and Shelter of Pittsburgh. She also manned the Contact Pittsburgh Crises Hotline.
In 1977, Mrs. Walton and her daughter and son-in-law - Farley Walton Whetzel and Joshua Whetzel Jr., of Shadyside - donated what became the Beechwood Farms Nature Preserve in Fox Chapel.
In 1998, she was named a Distinguished Daughter of Pennsylvania by former Gov. Tom Ridge. Two years later, she received the Elsie Award from WQED for her civic contributions.
Until a few weeks ago, Mrs. Walton continued to attend services at Shadyside Presbyterian Church, where the church library is named for the Waltons, said the Rev. James W. Tinnemeyer, executive pastor. He described Mrs. Walton as a faithful Christian who was devoted to her family, church and community.
"When I visited with her last Wednesday, she told me that she might not make the Sunday service," he said. "I told her that she was going to miss my sermon. She had me give her a preview of my sermon, and I told her that if she did come to the service, to critique both versions."
In addition to the Whetzels, Mrs. Walton is survived by her daughter, Mary Walton Curley and her husband, Walter J.P. Jr., of New York City; two sons, John F. Walton III and his wife, Phyllis, of Phoenix, Ariz., and James M. Walton and his wife, Ellen, of Gulf Stream, Fla.; 14 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren.
Mrs. Walton was preceded in death by a sister, Margaret Mellon Hitchcock; two brothers, Dr. William Larimer Mellon and Dr. Matthew T. Mellon; and two great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Shadyside Presbyterian Church, Amberson Avenue, Shadyside. Visitation will follow in the parish hall.
