Recalling her childhood home sparks a sense of nostalgia. Here at the Mary Moody Northen Student Center we honor a remarkable woman. Mary Moody Northen was a Galveston businesswoman and philanthropist. She left an enduring legacy.
Mary Moody Northen was born Mary Elizabeth Moody on February 10 1892. Galveston Texas was her birthplace. She was the daughter of William Lewis Moody Jr. He was a financial and insurance tycoon.
In 1915 Mary Elizabeth Moody married Edwin Clyde Northen. They had no children. Instead Northen dedicated her time to her father’s financial empire. She served on various company boards. Each evening she dined with her father discussing business matters.
Upon her father’s death Mary Moody Northen became president or chairman of over 50 corporations. These corporations were previously controlled by her father. Among them was the American National Insurance Company. At that time it was the largest insurance company west of the Mississippi River. She also chaired the Moody National Bank board.
Northen maintained control over the family’s companies until her death in 1986. In 1942 her parents established the Moody Foundation. After their deaths their estate was transferred to it. The Foundation awards grants to various civic and environmental causes in Texas. Northen became chairman after her father’s death. She ran the foundation until her own death in 1986. Today the Moody Foundation holds $1.197 billion USD. It is a charitable foundation making grants throughout Texas.
Through the Moody Foundation Northen helped fund the restoration of historic Galveston structures. This included an abandoned Santa Fe Railroad depot. It was transformed into a railroad museum. The 1877 iron sailing bark Elissa also benefited. The Moody Foundation also provided seed money to establish Texas A&M University at Galveston.
In 1964 Northen established the Mary Moody Northen Foundation. It is a private charitable foundation. In her will she directed the foundation’s trustees. They were to restore her childhood Galveston home. It is known as The Moody Mansion. She wanted it maintained as a museum. She also wanted them to maintain the Mountain Lake Hotel. It is a nature sanctuary and resort in Virginia.
Mary Moody Northen died in Galveston on August 25 1986. She was 94 years old. Over a thousand people attended her funeral. Texas Governor Mark White ordered flags flown at half-staff. It was at state buildings in her honor.
The Moody Foundation’s generosity extends to the University of Houston. In 1966 the Moody Foundation gave a $1 million grant to UH. This transformative gift supported education and student well-being. Moody Towers were named in honor of William L Moody. They have become integral to student life. They accommodate 1100 students. This historic contribution enriches the university community. It provides a home away from home for generations of students. The Mary Moody Northen Student Center stands as a testament. It reflects her commitment to education. It embodies her philanthropic spirit.