Mary Calhoun is pictured with the No. 1 Fan sweater presented to her at the 2018 Sherman Central School varsity basketball game. A scholarship in memory of Mary and her husband Duncan was created by their three children, Ginny, Duncan and Angus. Photo submitted

The small community of Sherman was not just a place where Duncan and Mary Calhoun could raise their family, it was their home.

Duncan, a US Navy veteran, met Mary in his native Scotland while stationed in Glasgow. After an eight-day whirlwind romance, the two were married, and Mary remained in Scotland for a year while Duncan completed his service. Once released, the two returned to Duncan’s hometown of Sherman, where they spent 40 years building lives filled with love and compassion for others, traits that were eventually passed on to their children and grandchildren. children.

“Mom and dad were both so generous and willing to help anyone in need,” said their son.

A trained farmer and mechanic, Duncan worked for Nickerson Farms in Clymer for almost 20 years. With three young children at home, Mary was a stay-at-home mom and also helped care for her husband’s grandmother who had cancer.

After their children graduated from elementary school, Mary became a tutor for local students through a program at SUNY Fredonia. For several years, Mary focused on supporting others on their educational journey, stepping back once her children were in high school and became involved in athletics and music.

“My mom became an avid Wildcats fan while we were playing sports for Sherman,” Duncan called back. “Even after we graduated, she continued to attend games and cheer on the students.”

In 2018, at Sherman’s college basketball game on senior night, the senior class participated to customize a warm-up sweater for Mary and present it to her during the game. On the back, it simply said Fan #1.

“She really became Sherman’s number one fan,” said Duncan. “She’s attended as many games over the years as she could.”

Following the passing of their parents, Duncan in 2017 and Mary in 2021, their children searched for a way to honor the memory of their parents, while supporting future Sherman students.

The Calhoun Family Scholarship will be awarded annually to graduates of Sherman Central School who have participated in Future Farmers of America, 4-H, or will be pursuing an agricultural or mechanical education. Students involved in the cheerleading program will also be eligible to apply.

“My parents prioritized learning in school and valued learning the skilled trades,” Duncan explained. “Our goal with this scholarship in their memory is to continue this for the Sherman community for generations to come.”

The scholarship is endowed to the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation. Currently, the foundation administers more than 700 endowment funds that support emerging community needs, charities, and local students pursuing higher education. At the end of 2021, the Foundation’s asset level was $142.1 million.

To support the Calhoun Family Scholarship Fund, tax-deductible donations can be made by credit card by visiting crcfonline.org or by mailing a check to the Foundation’s office at 418 Spring Street in Jamestown.