Continuing a Legacy
In the spring of 2002, Zella Mounts established the Horace Mounts Memorial Endowment as a lasting expression of faith, generosity, and the shared commitment to service that defined her life with her husband, Horace. This fund, named after her husband, supports a rotation of three organizations impacting poverty, food insecurity, and higher education through through Heifer International, Africa Methodist University, and Iliff School of Theology. The endowment makes annual distributions of 5%, with any additional earnings being reinvested to help this fund continue to grow and provide missional support.
Zella grew up in Wasilla, Alaska, before moving to Portland, Oregon, where she graduated from Jefferson High School, going on to earn a BS in biology from Willamette University. After marrying Horace in 1949, they lived in Salem, where he worked as a pastor. They later moved to Washington, and Zella earned her master's and Ph.D in educational psychology from the University of Washington.
The Beaverton Valley Times shared in her obituary that Zella “contracted polio in 1951, but even her residual limp did not slow her down.” She traveled broadly, setting up labs and training people in Chile, Brazil, Haiti, and Guatemala. Zella brought one of her children with her on each trip. She also volunteered for the United Nations for many years, teaching in Gaborone.
The Mounts hosted visiting students from Japan, Kenya, Indonesia, Denmark, and the Netherlands. They led discussions, showed films, shared information, and worked ecumenically to promote peace and understanding in their communities. Zella led discussion groups at church, spoke about the United Nations at community meetings, and volunteered as a camp nurse.
The Horace Mounts Memorial Endowment that Zella established continues to support humanitarian, civic, and educational ministries that were close to their hearts. If someone in your life has inspired your faith or service, consider how a legacy gift in their memory might continue that impact for generations to come.