For more than three decades, Mary McDonald Mascott and her husband, Ted, have been among the Thousand Islands Land Trust’s most dedicated friends and champions. Their vision and generosity have shaped TILT’s work and protected some of the region’s most beloved landscapes, including Zenda Farms Preserve and Grindstone Island. In 2017, the Mary & Ted Mascott Welcome Center opened at Zenda Farms Preserve, a lasting tribute to their belief in the power of conservation, community, and environmental education.
The Mascott’s leadership extended well beyond transformational gifts. They played critical roles in TILT’s Mission Support Campaign and the Rivergate Trail Community Connection project, initiatives that created new opportunities for public access while safeguarding the lands and waters of the Thousand Islands.
Mary’s support of TILT mirrored her lifelong dedication to service and community. Alongside her conservation work, she was deeply involved in projects that strengthened the region’s cultural, health care, educational, and child advocacy institutions. Her generosity and leadership were often described as extraordinary, and her ability to see both the immediate needs and long-term potential of organizations left a lasting impact on the region.
While we mourn the loss of Mary, we celebrate her remarkable legacy. Her vision, generosity, and love for this place will continue to guide the Land Trust’s mission and inspire all who walk the trails, fields, and riverfronts she helped protect. Her philanthropic spirit extended far beyond this organization, leaving an immeasurable mark across the North Country. Mary lived a life of generosity, purpose, and enduring love for this place we call home