Posted
April 14, 2026
The Br. James A. Everett, C.S.C. Benefactor Award is a distinguished honor presented to an individual or group, in recognition of transformative support and steadfast dedication to the mission of St. Edward High School.
Marie Cleary was born in 1910, the oldest of five children, in a time shaped by both hardship and resilience. After the loss of three siblings early in life, she and her youngest brother, Bob, grew up closely connected in Lakewood as members of St. James Parish. Their parents strongly valued Catholic education. Marie attended Lourdes Academy for two years, but when her father lost his job, she was unable to continue.
Harrington Glidden, also a Lakewood resident, shared a similar upbringing rooted in faith and education. He commuted by streetcar to attend Cathedral Latin School and came from a family with a strong entrepreneurial legacy—his grandfather founded the Glidden Paint Company, and his father later established Varnish Products Company. Harrington began his studies at John Carroll University but left early to assume responsibilities in the family business, eventually leading the company.
Marie and Harrington met through mutual friends and married in 1938, building a life focused on faith, family, and quiet generosity. Together, they lived a modest life as parishioners of Our Lady of Angels Parish.
Though they had no children, they were deeply devoted to Marie’s brother Bob, his wife Loretta, and their children—playing an active, loving role in their lives and, later, in the lives of their great-nieces and nephews.
Known for their kindness and classic style, they celebrated milestones, upheld meaningful traditions, and were not only generous, but joyful, thoughtful, and truly fun to be around. Birthdays meant dinners out; sacraments were honored with their presence; each school year began with new shoes; and weekend breakfasts at Rustic were a must. They listened, encouraged, and invested deeply in the lives of those around them.
In October 1998, before Marie’s passing, she and her brother Bob established the J. Harrington & Marie E. Glidden Foundation to carry forward their legacy. Today, under the guidance of the Loretta and Bob Cleary Family, the foundation continues to support a wide range of Catholic organizations, including St. Edward High School.
Recognizing the financial sacrifices families make to provide a Catholic education, the foundation has worked to ease that burden. In 2003, it established the Robert & Loretta Cleary Family Endowed Scholarship, helping make a St. Edward education accessible to more students.
Over the years, the foundation has also played a vital role in advancing key initiatives at St. Edward, including the Generations of Eagles Campaign and The Courage to Act Campaign. It has been a steadfast supporter of all 29 years of the Wings Auction.
Through that enduring work, the spirit of Marie and Harrington lives on, reflecting the values they held dear: faith, family, generosity, and a deep commitment to others.
Please join us in honoring the J. Harrington & Marie E. Glidden Foundation, as well as this year's other award recipients, at the annual Recognition Dinner on Thursday, May 7, 2026.