Lillian's Legacy.

Fund developed to honor the legacy of Lillian Capozza, a servant leader who taught her children (and subsequently her grandchildren) the value of service and compassion. All funds collected from this account will be transferred to the Community Foundation of Fayette County, PA to support scholarships, awards, and grants that focus on developing and honoring youth leadership, career development programs, and girls making a change. Gina Jones Watts is the granddaughter of this legacy leader! 

Event.

Saturday, September 30, 2023 | 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Hopwood AMVETS | 123 Buttermilk Lane | Hopwood, Pa 15445

For more information, email Gina at coachginajones@gmail.com. all proceeds go to the lillian’s legacy Scholarship fund.

Biography.

(as written by her daughter, Janet Elaine Capozza Jones - mother of Gina Jones Watts)

LILLIAN LOUISE (STOUT) CAPOZZA

Lilly was born September 26, 1919, sixth out of eight children born to Phillip G. Stout and Isabelle (Allen) Stout.  I’ve heard stories told about how her mom was sickly and crippled with arthritis for several years, but still managed to write letters to the sick and shut-ins. And it was told that her father was a bit of a task master running a farm and being a boss in the coal mine but he was gentle and kind when caring for his disabled wife. My mother and her siblings each had daily tasks assigned to them before and after school.

 Lilly rarely said an unkind word or had a complaint about her parents, her siblings, or her youth growing up during the depression. She never talked much about  local gossip either. My mom was about her Father’s business.  She was truly a Proverbs 31 woman who is considered a virtuous woman and has the properties of a good wife and mother.

 My mom once shared with me that she had dreams of being a chemist, but being number 6 of 8 children, invalid mother, hard working dad, there was no time or money for a four-year college. After graduating from high school, she went to Drake’s Business School in New York, while she worked with her sister doing day work.  Upon returning home, she and my father Carl married at 21 and were happily married until his death in 1973. She was not only his devoted wife, but his best friend as well.

 Even though she had many siblings, my mom was the primary care taker who took care of her mother, her father, her mother-in-law and her father-in-law in their older years.

 One of her former high school classmates shared with us not so long ago that my mom was probably one of the brightest students in her class and could have achieved anything she set her mind to do. I imagine that is why she encouraged all of her children to continue their education after high school

 The sacrifices she made for her husband, children and grandchildren will not soon be forgotten! After my dad passed away, my mom became more active volunteering, traveling with friends, journaling her trips and writing poetry.

She was a loving mother and grandmother and always thought of ways to be kind  to all who crossed her path. She followed the old Italian proverb. ”Sometimes you have to be kind to others, not because they are nice but because you are.”

She loved to cook and bake for my dad, children and grandchildren.  She was a perfect example of being contented with whatever state she was in.  My father was a coal miner during the week and a jazz musician on the weekend.  He was a good provider and loving husband and father. My mom was the Memory Maker. She took us to the drive in theater often to see Westerns and Disney movies; she took us on picnics and always encouraged us to think for ourselves.

She passed away on January 30, 1982 at the age of 61.

SERVICE LEADERSHIP

In the community where we lived, she was active in the community club and participated in many activities there. When any community member passed away, she and another lady would go door to door and collect Flower Fund money or grocery items for the family. In later years they ran a food bank. She was active in the church spring cleaning which involved taking water in buckets, cleaning products and manpower, namely us.  She was a member of group in Uniontown called the Gray Ladies who volunteered their services at the nursing homes. She tried to instill that quality in each of us to bless others without recompense.

Fundraising. 

special donation

In memory of Lillian’s youngest grandson, Vincent Capozza, First Energy Foundation donated $2,500 to Lillian’s Legacy Scholarship Fund to support students in Fayette County.

Online Fundraising and donations

Through online giving, annual end of year donations, and fundraising events, the Lillian’s Legacy Scholarship Fund has collected more than $10,000. And since 2016, the fund has distributed 11 scholarships to Fayette County students pursuing higher education at pursuing higher education at Carlow University, Penn State Fayette, the Eberly Campus, the University of Pittsburgh, West Virginia University, Youngstown State University and more.

Tea party

On Saturday, August 5, 2017, our family invited friends and the community to celebrate the legacy of Lillian Stout Capozza and to raise funds at our first annual Tea Party. The event was held in Hopwood, Pa and nearly 100 guests raised more than $1,500 to support the Lillian's Legacy Scholarship Fund. Additional donations were made after the event, more than doubling the funds raised to nearly $4,000. Since that first Tea Party, we’ve hosted two more events and raised thousands of dollars to support local students.

Thank you to all of our donors, volunteers, and supporters. We appreciate you! 

#YouAreBrave Concert - November 5, 2015

On Thursday, November 5, 2015, we hosted our inaugural fundraising event. #YouAreBrave, a benefit concert featuring gospel recording artist Moriah Peters and local vocalist, Sean Harris was held at the State Theatre Center for the Arts in Uniontown, Pa. Special thanks to Darrell Samuel Photography for the photos captured during the event and to the State Theatre staff for their wonderful hospitality. 

Our Donors.

With humility and sincerest gratitude, we offer our thanks to you, our donors. Your decision to contribute to this fund, allows the Lillian Capozza family to provide scholarships to local youth. Your act of generosity is not just a financial contribution to a fund - it is so much more!  As a family, we truly believe in the power of service. We are confident that God placed us here with an intention for each of us to serve each other with love, grace, humility, kindness, and generosity. Samuel Johnson once said, "The true measure of a man is how he treats someone who can do him absolutely no good." Thank you for serving with us and for taking time to care for "someone" who may never know your name, may never understand your generosity, and may never have the chance to cross your path. Thank you for honoring our mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great grandmother's legacy of servant leadership.

With love and appreciation,

The family of Lillian Stout Capozza

CONTRIBUTORS

Nicole Broome

Terry Calloway

Charmette Crews

Lori Jenkins

Jennifer Ramsey

John Rapano

Tony Samuel

Lakayla Truley

Alexis Walters

Anita Walters

SUPPORTERS

Mary Budinsky

Susan Saavedra

Christine Schaney

Isabelle Taylor

LAUNCHERS

Carolyn Capozza and Family

Janet and W. Joseph Capozza

Carla Famer and Family

Karris Jackson

Cheryl West

DONORS

Dawn Dice and Family

Michelle Goddard and Family

Sean Harris and Family

Carmen Jenkins and Family

LEADERS

First Energy Foundation

Janet Jones

Eric and Gina Watts