Bench Dedication Honors Pamela Peay

A dedication ceremony was held at Virginia Military Institute Nov. 2 for a granite bench positioned in the garden of the Superintendent’s Quarters in memory of Pamela Jane Peay, the late wife of superintendent emeritus, Gen. J.H. Binford Peay III ’62.

The inspiration of the bench as a memorial blossomed from a discussion between Lynda Furness, wife of current superintendent, Lt. Gen. David Furness ’87, and Col. Keith Gibson ’77, executive director of the VMI Museum System. Even before Pamela’s passing in May, Lynda sought an appropriate way to honor the former first lady of the Institute and approached Gibson for ideas. Gibson was aware of a granite bench on post he believed would be a perfect addition to the garden Pamela loved and watched over for many years. Lynda agreed it would be a proper remembrance, and the two arranged for it to be engraved and relocated.

Brig. Gen. Robert Moreschi, dean of the faculty and deputy superintendent for academics, and his wife, Linda, academic success coach, lived next door to the Peays for over two years. Linda stated the bench is a wonderful tribute to an amazing woman. “Mrs. Peay spent 17 years cultivating the grounds around the Superintendent’s Quarters. Every spring, the rest of us benefited from her green thumb as flowers bloomed. She planted and transplanted daffodils and irises, and even transplanted her mother’s peonies all the way from Door County, Michigan.”

Gen. Peay, who traveled from his home in Northern Virginia for the dedication, was emotionally stirred when recalling his time as the 14^th superintendent and Pamela’s nurturing stewardship of the garden. He noted the importance in preserving green space, an essential part of the historic foundation of the Institute. He thanked those in attendance and shared, “You know Pam has great friends here. This is a wonderful honor you’ve given her. It’s one that means so much to our boys and me.”

Following Gen. Peay’s remarks, two Peay scholars—cadet recipients of the prestigious Peay Merit Scholarship, awarded to cadets who demonstrate exceptional leadership, academic excellence, athletic commitment, and an interest in national service—unveiled the bench, revealing the inscription which reads, “In Memory of Pamela Jane Peay First Lady of VMI, 2003-2020.”    

Following the ceremony, 12 Peay scholars joined Gen. Peay and the Moreschis for lunch in the Dean’s Quarters.