Louise Tricard truly remembered her friends in her will
Louise divided her estate among track friends, kin.
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When track historian and masters athlete Louise Mead Tricard died in late September, she had no immediate family in her adopted home of Florida. No children. Her husband, John, passed away two months earlier. So how would her estate be distributed? Would she leave anything to USATF, or any track clubs or charities? Since her will is a public record of Brevard County, Florida, I wrote for a copy to find out. The document arrived this week, and it reflects Louise’s love for her longtime track friends, including coaches and fellow masters athletes. The “last will and testament of Louise M. Tricard” was signed and witnessed Aug. 13, 2008, apparently in the Bronx hospital of her native New York City, where she was being treated for a recurrence of cancer.
In the five-page will, Louise left her home in Cape Canaveral, Florida, to her sister Jane Mead Peter. The contents of the home went to Jane as well.
Louise left $5,000 to her nephew Jonathan Mead Peter in South Salem, New York.
As for the rest of her estate (called “residue” in probate jargon), Louise left percentages to about a dozen other people and couples, mostly track-related. Her will doesn’t specify the total value of her estate. But it’s revealing who she considered her dearest friends.
Louise left 20 percent to Louise J. Russo of New City, New Jersey. I don’t know whether Russo is the same crime-victim Louise Russo mentioned in a Google search.
Louise left 20 percent jointly to Ruth Fountain and Patricia Davis of Cocoa Beach, Florida. Ruth, who Louise also appointed as personal representative and trustee to handle the estate, was technical adviser to Louise in the writing of her two books on the history of American women’s track and field.
She left 20 percent jointly to her close running friend and Cape Canaveral neighbor Ann Makoske and Bob Makoske. Ann is a breast cancer survivor (whose story is told here) and a longtime masters middle-distance runner, nationally ranked in recent years and an entrant in several national masters track championships. Ann was at Louise’s side in her last hours.
Louise also left 20 percent to Karen D’Aprix of Highland, New York. Karen also helped Louise with her track history books.
The remaining estate residue was divided thusly:
Five percent went to sister Jane.
Five percent went to Jane Jones of Melbourne, Florida, who I think is a road runner.
Five percent went to Jackie Archis of New York City, who was featured in a book on how to find affordable housing in the Big Apple.
Two and one-half percent went jointly to Susan Puretz and Phil McDonald of Saugerties, New York. Susan is the former chair of the Division of Health and Physical Education at State University of New York in New Paltz. This profile of Susan, also an author, says: “She taught courses in health, fitness and dance for more than 20 years and she keeps fit through hiking, running, swimming, equestrianism, and dance.”
And finally, Louise left 2.5 percent to Jean and Ernie Gregoire of Walnut, California — the home of Mt. San Antonio College, where Ernie coached and helped manage the Mt. SAC Relays for many years.
Ernie’s track credits are many. He was head coach of the 1999 U.S. women’s team at the IAAF World Championships and an assistant coach for the 2000 U.S. Olympic team.
But I’m sure that Ernie’s original calling — as coach in the late 1960s and 1970s of a famous youth club called the Southern California Cheetahs — was more important to Louise than his later credits. Among his athletes was Olympic long jump medalist Larry Myricks. Louise devoted a chapter interview to Ernie in “A History: American Women’s Track & Field, 1981-2000.” The book was published earlier this year.
In an interview with hurdler Arnita Epps Myricks in the same book, Louise wrote of how Arnita was influenced by Ernie Gregoire:
“Coming to California, I knew that I had my work cut out for me because everyone was running well. However, Coach Gregoire told me his motto was ‘If it’s to be, it’s up to me.’ That motto stays with me today, not only through athletics, but also in my professional career and in whatever I endeavor to do.”
And so it was with Louise Mead Tricard: “If it’s to be, it’s up me” could have been her creed as well. She made a lot happen. Her friends will vouch for that.
Related posts:
- Louise Mead Tricard’s will: Why I posted the details
- Services for Louise Mead Tricard are Friday in Florida
- Louise Tricard dies; track historian, great masters friend
- Masters sprinter/marathoner Louise Tricard hospitalized
- A special athlete is silenced: Cancer claims Louise Clark
10 Responses
I am a bit offended by your listing of everything in Louise Tricard’s will. Why do we all need to know all the details? Yes it is a public record but that is not the same as a newsworthy report to the public at large – or even the masters who read your blog.
It would have been sufficient to say that she remembered runner friends in her will.
Why is this blog worthy?
What is the purpose of exposing the contents of a departed one’s will on a masters track and field BLOG? You sir, have way too much time on your hands.
TO MARY AND RONALD:I AGREE
WITH YOUR STATEMENTS.I WONDER HOW LOUISE WOULD HAVE FELT KNOWING THE CONTENTS OF HER WILL WERE
FREELY AIRED ON A BLOG.SEEMS LIKE A PERSONAL
MATTER TO ME.
PHYLLIS PROVOST
Ken- you REALLY need to delete this. I am sure Mrs. Tricard would be horrified to have her will posted here. I know I would… You have crossed a line that you shouldn’t have.
Louise Mead Tricard was a wonderful woman who contributed greatly to the sport of track and field; I will always remember her, and was glad I had the opportunity to talk and share experiences with her in my local area.
I don’t know why Ken Stone thinks this is “news” or a dignified way to continue her memory, but it is neither.
Ken , We know you must reading these posts to your blog. Is there a legitimate reason for posting Mrs. Tricard’s will on masterstrack.com ? Maybe you’ve got one, so if you can let us know why, maybe we missed something. In the meanwhile I have to agree with the rest of the folks on here that it’s pretty weird.
I’ve typically stayed clear of debate over issues such as this one.
However, in this case, I did find it very odd to see the contents of someone’s will on this site.
I tried to put it in a more personal context and I know I wouldn’t want the contents of my will or of a close relative’s put out there for all to see. Even if she has no surviving relatives, it’s the principle of the issue.
Ken, your site and blog are truly a great resource and I appreciate all you’ve done for the sport of Masters Track & Field. But in this case, I would have preferred another blog entry on the upcoming USATF convention that begins tomorrow as surely there has to be something of note to write about. Proposed rule changes? Budget? Future sites for championships?
My bad…convention starts Wednesday. Still, imagine there are things affecting Masters Track that are on the docket.
HI MY NAME IS TIJUANA I’M TRYING TO LOCATE ARNITA EPPS MY LONG LOST FRIEND I STILL CONSIDER ARNITA A FRIEND WE LOST TOUCH WE MET AT TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY ARNITA IF YOU GET THIS MESSAGE PLEASE EMAIL ME I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU’VE BEEN ON MIND A LOT LAST I HEARD YOU WERE MARRIED I NOT A COMPUTER PERSON PLEASE CONTACT ME WE HAVE A LOT TO TALK ABOUT LOVE TIJUANA
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