As the youngest child of a very large Catholic family, Tommy Fette isn’t always sure if what he remembers is his own memory, or a shared family story that he and his siblings have heard time and time again. He comes from a blended family full of love, pig roasts, large Christmas dinners, and having multiple long tables reserved to accommodate everyone at the Hofbrauhaus.

Though he pauses to recall some of the details of birthdays and other facts from such a large family, Tommy Fette remembers clearly the dedication his parents had to their faith, their family, and to their community.

“They were always very into giving back, but doing it in a way where you weren't bringing attention to yourselves.”

Bill Fette, a 1946 graduate of Purcell High School, served in the Army in Germany after World War II. Tommy shares that his father attributed a lot of what he was able to accomplish in his life to the values he gained from his experiences in the military and in Catholic Schools.

“Having a family that was close and brought up with Catholic values, I think for my dad, attending St. Cecilia in Oakley, and then Purcell High School, he got strong values from those schools. For me, as a parent now to young kids, they spend so much time in a school environment. I know my dad felt that he benefited from his Catholic school experiences and it set him on his career and life path that ultimately ended up being very successful,” shared Tommy.

His parents were long-time parishioners of Good Shepherd Church and supporters of Catholic education for their children. Most of the thirteen children attended All Saints School and later, attended the then-new St. Margaret of York. Though none of the Fette children attended Purcell Marian, Bill and Janet were steadfast, and quiet supporters.

At Purcell Marian, the Fettes anonymously provided support on numerous occasions to families whose life circumstances became too difcult to pay tuition. Their support included clearing the balance of tuition for a student whose parent unexpectedly died, and paying of the remaining tuition owed for struggling families so that seniors could graduate alongside their classmates. They did not want finances to be the barrier for a student being able to complete their education at Purcell Marian High School.

“They would insist to the school that they didn't want families to know it was them. They didn't want the family to feel indebted to them. They didn’t want them to pay them back or anything like that,” shares Tommy about his parents' discreet giving. “My parents knew there were so many challenges in life and they felt if they could help alleviate one of those things financially for students and families choosing Catholic schools, they should.”

Janet and Bill also stressed to their children the importance of the gift of time to people and organizations. Janet spent much of her time volunteering at Hospice of Cincinnati, and serving on the Goodwill Executive Board in addition to volunteering with her children’s schools. Tommy shares that his grandfather received care at Kenwood Terrace, and he used to join his dad on visits to see him. Even after his own father's passing in 1992, Bill Fette kept visiting the residents of both Meadowbrook Nursing Home and Kenwood Terrace.

“My father was born in 1928, and as long as he could get out and move, he would make sure to go there and visit the people. He would go around to diferent rooms several times a week to visit people that didn't have people to visit them. Even after my grandfather passed, he continued going. I know my father carried that through until he passed in 2014.”

In addition to their large family and their charitable work, the Fette’s also ran their own company, Tape Products Company, employing hundreds of people. Employees, the youngest Fette shares, they felt responsible for, and cared about. Together, the couple’s volunteer and charitable work spanned over half a century, and as a lasting tribute to their community and commitment to their Catholic values, Bill and Janet Fette arranged a planned gift to Purcell Marian.

“What I heard them say a lot, [is that] they would designate their gifts ‘where it is needed most.’ They wanted their gifts to benefit people. They would say, ‘Purcell Marian knows their school and they know what will have the biggest impact on their students.’”

With their generous gift to the Giving in Faith Society at Purcell Marian, the Fette legacy of quiet, impactful giving, continues beyond their lifetime. Students of Purcell Marian continue to benefit from their generosity - growing in faith, academics, and personal development.

The Fette’s wanted no recognition, no plaque or statue in their honor. It was enough for them to know that their gift made a diference in someone’s life. Tommy shares what his parents' legacy gift has meant to his family, and advice for others who may be considering an estate gift.

“For others considering a planned gift, think about what you want your kids, or your grandkids or your great-grandkids to do. What values do you want them to see as your last act? That is going to be their lasting memory of you.”

For the Fette family, the enduring example set by Bill and Janet through their generosity and commitment to their community remains a cherished memory that they continue to honor and hold dear.