Rachel Mellon Walton

WALTON
RACHEL MELLON
Rachel Mellon Walton passed away peacefully at her home in Oakland on March 2, 2006, two months after her 107th birthday. She was born in 1899, the daughter of Mary Taylor and William Larimer Mellon, founder of Gulf Oil Corporation. Mrs. Walton was a supporter both financially and as a volunteer of many community efforts including: The Women's Committee of the Carnegie Museum of Art, The Advisory Council of The Women's Center and Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh, The Garden Club of Allegheny County and Contact Pittsburgh Crisis Hotline. In 1942 she joined the board of The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. During her tenure she gave the Green Room in memory of her mother Mary Taylor Mellon and endowed the principal oboe chair in memory of her brother William Larimer Mellon Jr. The symphony's Concertmaster Chair is endowed in her name. She was named a Distinguished Daughter of Pennsylvania by Governor Tom Ridge in 1998. She received the Elsie Award from WQED in 2000 for her legacy in volunteerism and philanthropy. She was also honored by the Children's Institute for her support and dedication to its mission. She supported the Business School at Carnegie Mellon University in many ways. She and her sister Margaret Mellon Hitchcock established the Mary Taylor Mellon Scholarship for Women. In 1974 her husband of 52 years, John F. Walton Jr., passed away. She is survived by her children, Farley Walton Whetzel and her husband Joshua C. Whetzel Jr. of Pittsburgh, Mary Walton Curley and her husband Walter J. P. Curley Jr. of New York, New York, John F. Walton III and his wife Phyllis of Phoenix, Arizona and James M. Walton and his wife Ellen of Gulf Stream, Florida. She is survived by 14 grandchildren and 27 great grandchildren. Two grandchildren predeceased her. A Memorial Service will be held at the Shadyside Presbyterian Church on Amberson Avenue in Shadyside on Wednesday, March 8, 2006, at 11:00 am with visitation after in the Parish Hall. In lieu of flowers the family suggests a contribution in Mrs. Walton's memory be made either to The Children's Institute of Pittsburgh, 6301 Northumberland Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15217 or The Forbes Hospice, 115 South Neville Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213. Arrangements by JOHN A. FREYVOGEL SONS, INC., 4900 Centre Ave. at Devonshire St.
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