Today we honor and remember a woman who has led by example through her own action, advocacy, leadership, and philanthropy here in South Florida, throughout the country, and globally – the remarkable Marta S. Weeks-Wulf. Marta passed on from this earth on September 1, 2023, leaving behind a legacy steeped in advocacy and generosity.
Marta, known as a multi-faceted leader and philanthropist supporting the arts, education, healthcare, and the Episcopal Church, also leaves a legacy of promoting environmental leadership, stewardship, sustainability and encouraging environmental science education.
Marta was one of the lead donors in establishing the Deering Estate NESST (Nurturing Environmental Stewards of Today and Tomorrow) program. NESST is a customizable educational program that brings science textbooks to life and subjects that spark interest and engage students for tomorrow’s STEM careers.
As written in the University of Miami Momentum 2…
Marta was a dedicated member of the University of Miami Board of Trustees since 1983, serving as the first female board chair from 2007 to 2009. Beyond this distinguished tenure of service, Weeks Wulf has fortified her commitment to the University’s growth through many leadership charitable contributions.
With her late husband, L. Austin Weeks, she provided a naming gift to help build the Marta and Austin Weeks Music Library and Technology Center at the Frost School of Music, which opened in 2005. Other naming gifts include the L. Austin Weeks Center for Recording and Performance at the Frost School, the Lewis G. Weeks Chair in Geology at the Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, named in memory of her father-in-law, and the L. Austin Weeks Family Endowed Chair in Urologic Research at the Miller School of Medicine. She endowed The Lewis G. Weeks Geology Chair, named in honor of her father-in-law, and the Weeks Chair in Latin American Studies at the College of Arts & Sciences.
She funded the purchase of an historic Villa – Villa Tannheim – that now serves as the headquarters in Germany of the International Solar Energy Society that was renovated to maintain its historic appearance while using renewable energy sources to show how buildings can be changed to save energy – resulting in an annual energy savings of 27 tons of CO2. Marta was indeed a woman ahead of her time.
At the University of Utah stands the Frederick Albert Sutton Building that serves as a symbol for campus sustainability and didactic construction. Marta donated more than $12 million in gifts toward the eventual $27 million cost of this building that bears her father’s name. Sustainability was at the forefront of its design and construction which received gold-level LEED certification in 2010.
And while this was going on in Utah, Marta herself – here at home in Palmetto Bay – contracted to have her own hybrid solar system installed. Marta’s home would soon serve as Deering’s Institute for Conservation Research and Learning sitting amongst over seven acres of preserved natural Hardwood Hammock that Marta elected to preserve under an Environmentally Endangered Lands Covenant for thirty years.
In 2015, Marta graciously and generously donated her home and property to the Deering Estate Foundation to be preserved for future generations and to serve as an environmental research facility supporting Deering’s development as a world class Cultural and Ecological Field Station. What made Marta so special was that she led by her own example. She elected to preserve this house and land and to donate it with the intent that it be preserved as a natural area and used for educational purposes. What a gift to our community! Click here to view the “thank you” video for Marta.
During a conversation between Marta and Mary Pettit, former Executive Director of The Deering Estate Foundation, she shared that her family has, for generations, been concerned about energy conservation and the sustainability of our natural resources. Marta’s family has reason to be quite proud, for she ACTED on these concerns through her own way of life, her leadership and advocacy on various boards, and by way of her many philanthropic gifts and initiatives.
For all those who knew Marta, it was a privilege. Throughout her life she endeavored to make a difference. Surely, all would agree that her life was well lived and that Marta S. Weeks-Wulf most certainly achieved this endeavor and was very much a positive force for change and good.
Rest well, Marta, and thank you for leaving such an honorable legacy to preserve and protect our natural resources. We proudly strive to continue your heritage in perpetuity.
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