University of Deleware, archives, Internet Edition. Genevieve W. Gore. Jan. 21, 2005--Genevieve "Vieve" W. Gore, 91, of Newark, died Jan. 20 after a brief illness. A long-time friend and benefactor of the University of Delaware, Mrs. Gore of Newark and her late husband, Wilbert, founded W. L. Gore & Associates. In 1983, Mr. and Mrs. Gore were awarded the University of Delaware Medal of Distinction, at a ceremony where then-Vice President George H. W. Bush also was honored. The Medal of Distinction is presented to individuals in the state and region who have made humanitarian, cultural, intellectual or scientific contributions to society, have achieved noteworthy success in their professions or have given significant service to the University, the state and the region. In 1995, Mrs. Gore and her son, Robert Gore, an alumnus of the Class of 1959, and his wife, Sarah, an alumna of the Class of 1976, made a $17.5 million gift to the University for a new classroom building. Gore Hall, which stands on The Green, was dedicated in 1998.
Born in Salt Lake City, Mrs. Gore spent her childhood on a cattle ranch in Wyoming. She studied elementary education for two years at the University of Utah and graduated from Henniger Business College in 1935. She married Wilbert L. "Bill" Gore in 1935. On their 23rd wedding anniversary, the Gores set aside the security of his job to start a business in the basement of the family's Newark home. Although she would serve in many roles during her lifelong career at W. L. Gore & Associates, Mrs. Gore's first charge was to see that all the bills were paid. From these modest beginnings, Mrs. Gore helped W. L. Gore & Associates grow into a successful global corporation, along the way developing thousands of innovative products and launching brands like GORE-TEX® fabric. Active in the company until her death, Mrs. Gore continued to be a presence at the company's offices and serve on the board of directors. According to an obituary published in the News-Journal, “Mrs. Gore took a genuine interest in people, and her enthusiasm and warmth spawned a legion of devoted followers and friends. She embodied the values at the heart of W. L. Gore & Associates' unique corporate culture, most notably the belief in the inherent potential of every individual. A supportive and unifying figure among her family and friends as well as within the community, Mrs. Gore's energy, natural charm and smile endeared her to everyone she touched.” Mrs. Gore was involved in numerous social and civic activities. She served as a member of the senior council for the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce and co-founded Delaware Community Services. She was named to the board of counselors of Goldey-Beacom College and was involved with the American Field Service and the Soroptimist Club. She also served as a member of the Girl Scouts President's Advisory Council and the board of governors for Winterthur Museum. Interested in education, she held roles as president of the PTA and as a member of the local school board. Among the many recipients of her giving were Independence School, Wilmington Friends School, Goldey-Beacom College, Ashbrook School in Corvallis, Ore., and Westminister College. Her honors included honorary degrees from Westminster College in Salt Lake City and Goldey-Beacom College in Wilmington, and she was named to the Delaware Women's Hall of Fame in 1989. Both she and her husband were elected to the Delaware Business Leaders Hall of Fame in 1991 and the Junior Achievement National Business Hall of Fame in 2003.
Mrs. Gore is survived by five children: Robert Gore of Newark, and his wife, Sally; Susan Gore of Cheyenne, Wyo.; Ginger Giovale of Flagstaff, Ariz., and her husband, John; David Gore of Corvallis, Ore., and his wife, Cecilia, and Elizabeth Snyder of Greenville; sister, Evelyn Urquhart of Sun City, Ariz.; 21 grandchildren; and 33 great-grandchildren. A memorial service will be held 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 23, in Mitchell Hall. A reception will follow in Gore Hall. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Genevieve W. Gore Fund for Music Education, c/o Delaware Community Foundation, P.O. Box 1636, Wilmington, DE 19899. To send condolences, visit [www.spicer-mullikinfuneralhomes.com].
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NEWARK, Del., Jan. 20, 2005 PRNewswire. Genevieve W. Gore, Co-Founder of W.L. Gore & Associates, Dies at 91. -- Genevieve Walton "Vieve" Gore, who with her husband, Wilbert, founded W. L. Gore & Associates, died today in Newark after a brief illness. She was 91. (Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050120/DCTH035) A native of Utah, Mrs. Gore married Wilbert L. "Bill" Gore in 1935. During the Second World War, they moved East where he began a career with the DuPont Company. On their 23rd wedding anniversary -- January 1, 1958 -- with five children to support, two of them in college, the Gores set aside the security of Bill's job to start a business. Bill's research at DuPont had convinced him that there was a market in the growing computer industry for wire insulated with a polymer called polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), known at DuPont by the trade name TEFLON(R). When DuPont decided against pursuing the idea, Bill, Vieve, and their eldest son, Bob, set up shop in the basement of the family's Newark, Delaware, home to make PTFE-insulated ribbon cable. A full and equal partner with her husband, Mrs. Gore was immersed in the business from the start. Although she would serve in many roles during her lifelong career at W. L. Gore & Associates, Mrs. Gore's first charge was to see that all the bills got paid. From these modest beginnings, Mrs. Gore helped W. L. Gore & Associates grow into a billion dollar corporation, along the way developing thousands of innovative products, and launching hugely successful consumer brands like GORE-TEX(R) fabric. Active in the company until her death, Mrs. Gore continued to be a presence at the company's offices, serve on the board of directors and, as its most tenured associate, delight Gore associates by officiating at events honoring the milestones and accomplishments of those who followed her inspiration. She embodied the values at the heart of the company's unique culture, most notably the belief in the inherent potential of every individual. Her enthusiasm, warmth and genuine interest in others spawned a legion of devoted followers and friends. In 1995, she joined with her son Bob and daughter-in-law Sally, in providing funding to the University of Delaware for the construction of a new classroom building, Gore Hall. In addition to her business pursuits, Mrs. Gore was involved in numerous social and civic activities during her lifetime. She served as a member o the Senior Council for the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce and co-founded the Delaware Community Foundation. She was named to the Board of Counselors of Goldey-Beacom College and was involved with the American Field Service and the Soroptimist Club. Mrs. Gore also served as a member of the Girl Scouts President's Advisory Council and the Board of Governors for Winterthur Museum.
Mrs. Gore was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, in 1913. She studied elementary education for two years at the University of Utah, and graduated from Henniger Business College in 1935. She was granted an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from Utah's Westminster College in 1982 and a Medal of Distinction from the University of Delaware in 1983. In 1989, she was named to the Delaware Women's Hall of Fame. In 1991, she was granted an honorary degree in Business Administration from Goldey-Beacom College. Both she and Bill were elected to the Delaware Business Leaders Hall of Fame in 1991 and the Junior Achievement National Business Hall of Fame in 2003.
In her personal time, Mrs. Gore pursued mountain climbing, swimming,tennis and music with the same enthusiasm that made W. L. Gore & Associates so successful under her guidance and leadership. She loved the outdoors and instilled that affection in her five children, Bob Gore of Newark, DE, Susan Gore of Cheyenne, WY, Ginger Giovale of Flagstaff, AZ, David Gore of Corvallis, OR, and Betty Snyder of Greenville, DE, who survive her. Also surviving her are 21 grandchildren and 33 great grandchildren. Her husband, Bill, died while they were on a camping trip in the Wind River Range of the Rocky Mountains in 1986. SOURCE W.L. Gore & Associates.
Born in Salt Lake City, Mrs. Gore spent her childhood on a cattle ranch in Wyoming. She studied elementary education for two years at the University of Utah and graduated from Henniger Business College in 1935. She married Wilbert L. "Bill" Gore in 1935. On their 23rd wedding anniversary, the Gores set aside the security of his job to start a business in the basement of the family's Newark home. Although she would serve in many roles during her lifelong career at W. L. Gore & Associates, Mrs. Gore's first charge was to see that all the bills were paid. From these modest beginnings, Mrs. Gore helped W. L. Gore & Associates grow into a successful global corporation, along the way developing thousands of innovative products and launching brands like GORE-TEX® fabric. Active in the company until her death, Mrs. Gore continued to be a presence at the company's offices and serve on the board of directors. According to an obituary published in the News-Journal, “Mrs. Gore took a genuine interest in people, and her enthusiasm and warmth spawned a legion of devoted followers and friends. She embodied the values at the heart of W. L. Gore & Associates' unique corporate culture, most notably the belief in the inherent potential of every individual. A supportive and unifying figure among her family and friends as well as within the community, Mrs. Gore's energy, natural charm and smile endeared her to everyone she touched.” Mrs. Gore was involved in numerous social and civic activities. She served as a member of the senior council for the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce and co-founded Delaware Community Services. She was named to the board of counselors of Goldey-Beacom College and was involved with the American Field Service and the Soroptimist Club. She also served as a member of the Girl Scouts President's Advisory Council and the board of governors for Winterthur Museum. Interested in education, she held roles as president of the PTA and as a member of the local school board. Among the many recipients of her giving were Independence School, Wilmington Friends School, Goldey-Beacom College, Ashbrook School in Corvallis, Ore., and Westminister College. Her honors included honorary degrees from Westminster College in Salt Lake City and Goldey-Beacom College in Wilmington, and she was named to the Delaware Women's Hall of Fame in 1989. Both she and her husband were elected to the Delaware Business Leaders Hall of Fame in 1991 and the Junior Achievement National Business Hall of Fame in 2003.
Mrs. Gore is survived by five children: Robert Gore of Newark, and his wife, Sally; Susan Gore of Cheyenne, Wyo.; Ginger Giovale of Flagstaff, Ariz., and her husband, John; David Gore of Corvallis, Ore., and his wife, Cecilia, and Elizabeth Snyder of Greenville; sister, Evelyn Urquhart of Sun City, Ariz.; 21 grandchildren; and 33 great-grandchildren. A memorial service will be held 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 23, in Mitchell Hall. A reception will follow in Gore Hall. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Genevieve W. Gore Fund for Music Education, c/o Delaware Community Foundation, P.O. Box 1636, Wilmington, DE 19899. To send condolences, visit [www.spicer-mullikinfuneralhomes.com].
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NEWARK, Del., Jan. 20, 2005 PRNewswire. Genevieve W. Gore, Co-Founder of W.L. Gore & Associates, Dies at 91. -- Genevieve Walton "Vieve" Gore, who with her husband, Wilbert, founded W. L. Gore & Associates, died today in Newark after a brief illness. She was 91. (Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050120/DCTH035) A native of Utah, Mrs. Gore married Wilbert L. "Bill" Gore in 1935. During the Second World War, they moved East where he began a career with the DuPont Company. On their 23rd wedding anniversary -- January 1, 1958 -- with five children to support, two of them in college, the Gores set aside the security of Bill's job to start a business. Bill's research at DuPont had convinced him that there was a market in the growing computer industry for wire insulated with a polymer called polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), known at DuPont by the trade name TEFLON(R). When DuPont decided against pursuing the idea, Bill, Vieve, and their eldest son, Bob, set up shop in the basement of the family's Newark, Delaware, home to make PTFE-insulated ribbon cable. A full and equal partner with her husband, Mrs. Gore was immersed in the business from the start. Although she would serve in many roles during her lifelong career at W. L. Gore & Associates, Mrs. Gore's first charge was to see that all the bills got paid. From these modest beginnings, Mrs. Gore helped W. L. Gore & Associates grow into a billion dollar corporation, along the way developing thousands of innovative products, and launching hugely successful consumer brands like GORE-TEX(R) fabric. Active in the company until her death, Mrs. Gore continued to be a presence at the company's offices, serve on the board of directors and, as its most tenured associate, delight Gore associates by officiating at events honoring the milestones and accomplishments of those who followed her inspiration. She embodied the values at the heart of the company's unique culture, most notably the belief in the inherent potential of every individual. Her enthusiasm, warmth and genuine interest in others spawned a legion of devoted followers and friends. In 1995, she joined with her son Bob and daughter-in-law Sally, in providing funding to the University of Delaware for the construction of a new classroom building, Gore Hall. In addition to her business pursuits, Mrs. Gore was involved in numerous social and civic activities during her lifetime. She served as a member o the Senior Council for the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce and co-founded the Delaware Community Foundation. She was named to the Board of Counselors of Goldey-Beacom College and was involved with the American Field Service and the Soroptimist Club. Mrs. Gore also served as a member of the Girl Scouts President's Advisory Council and the Board of Governors for Winterthur Museum.
Mrs. Gore was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, in 1913. She studied elementary education for two years at the University of Utah, and graduated from Henniger Business College in 1935. She was granted an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from Utah's Westminster College in 1982 and a Medal of Distinction from the University of Delaware in 1983. In 1989, she was named to the Delaware Women's Hall of Fame. In 1991, she was granted an honorary degree in Business Administration from Goldey-Beacom College. Both she and Bill were elected to the Delaware Business Leaders Hall of Fame in 1991 and the Junior Achievement National Business Hall of Fame in 2003.
In her personal time, Mrs. Gore pursued mountain climbing, swimming,tennis and music with the same enthusiasm that made W. L. Gore & Associates so successful under her guidance and leadership. She loved the outdoors and instilled that affection in her five children, Bob Gore of Newark, DE, Susan Gore of Cheyenne, WY, Ginger Giovale of Flagstaff, AZ, David Gore of Corvallis, OR, and Betty Snyder of Greenville, DE, who survive her. Also surviving her are 21 grandchildren and 33 great grandchildren. Her husband, Bill, died while they were on a camping trip in the Wind River Range of the Rocky Mountains in 1986. SOURCE W.L. Gore & Associates.
University of Deleware, archives, Internet Edition. Genevieve W. Gore. Jan. 21, 2005--Genevieve "Vieve" W. Gore, 91, of Newark, died Jan. 20 after a brief illness. A long-time friend and benefactor of the University of Delaware, Mrs. Gore of Newark and her late husband, Wilbert, founded W. L. Gore & Associates. In 1983, Mr. and Mrs. Gore were awarded the University of Delaware Medal of Distinction, at a ceremony where then-Vice President George H. W. Bush also was honored. The Medal of Distinction is presented to individuals in the state and region who have made humanitarian, cultural, intellectual or scientific contributions to society, have achieved noteworthy success in their professions or have given significant service to the University, the state and the region. In 1995, Mrs. Gore and her son, Robert Gore, an alumnus of the Class of 1959, and his wife, Sarah, an alumna of the Class of 1976, made a $17.5 million gift to the University for a new classroom building. Gore Hall, which stands on The Green, was dedicated in 1998.
Born in Salt Lake City, Mrs. Gore spent her childhood on a cattle ranch in Wyoming. She studied elementary education for two years at the University of Utah and graduated from Henniger Business College in 1935. She married Wilbert L. "Bill" Gore in 1935. On their 23rd wedding anniversary, the Gores set aside the security of his job to start a business in the basement of the family's Newark home. Although she would serve in many roles during her lifelong career at W. L. Gore & Associates, Mrs. Gore's first charge was to see that all the bills were paid. From these modest beginnings, Mrs. Gore helped W. L. Gore & Associates grow into a successful global corporation, along the way developing thousands of innovative products and launching brands like GORE-TEX® fabric. Active in the company until her death, Mrs. Gore continued to be a presence at the company's offices and serve on the board of directors. According to an obituary published in the News-Journal, “Mrs. Gore took a genuine interest in people, and her enthusiasm and warmth spawned a legion of devoted followers and friends. She embodied the values at the heart of W. L. Gore & Associates' unique corporate culture, most notably the belief in the inherent potential of every individual. A supportive and unifying figure among her family and friends as well as within the community, Mrs. Gore's energy, natural charm and smile endeared her to everyone she touched.” Mrs. Gore was involved in numerous social and civic activities. She served as a member of the senior council for the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce and co-founded Delaware Community Services. She was named to the board of counselors of Goldey-Beacom College and was involved with the American Field Service and the Soroptimist Club. She also served as a member of the Girl Scouts President's Advisory Council and the board of governors for Winterthur Museum. Interested in education, she held roles as president of the PTA and as a member of the local school board. Among the many recipients of her giving were Independence School, Wilmington Friends School, Goldey-Beacom College, Ashbrook School in Corvallis, Ore., and Westminister College. Her honors included honorary degrees from Westminster College in Salt Lake City and Goldey-Beacom College in Wilmington, and she was named to the Delaware Women's Hall of Fame in 1989. Both she and her husband were elected to the Delaware Business Leaders Hall of Fame in 1991 and the Junior Achievement National Business Hall of Fame in 2003.
Mrs. Gore is survived by five children: Robert Gore of Newark, and his wife, Sally; Susan Gore of Cheyenne, Wyo.; Ginger Giovale of Flagstaff, Ariz., and her husband, John; David Gore of Corvallis, Ore., and his wife, Cecilia, and Elizabeth Snyder of Greenville; sister, Evelyn Urquhart of Sun City, Ariz.; 21 grandchildren; and 33 great-grandchildren. A memorial service will be held 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 23, in Mitchell Hall. A reception will follow in Gore Hall. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Genevieve W. Gore Fund for Music Education, c/o Delaware Community Foundation, P.O. Box 1636, Wilmington, DE 19899. To send condolences, visit [www.spicer-mullikinfuneralhomes.com].
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NEWARK, Del., Jan. 20, 2005 PRNewswire. Genevieve W. Gore, Co-Founder of W.L. Gore & Associates, Dies at 91. -- Genevieve Walton "Vieve" Gore, who with her husband, Wilbert, founded W. L. Gore & Associates, died today in Newark after a brief illness. She was 91. (Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050120/DCTH035) A native of Utah, Mrs. Gore married Wilbert L. "Bill" Gore in 1935. During the Second World War, they moved East where he began a career with the DuPont Company. On their 23rd wedding anniversary -- January 1, 1958 -- with five children to support, two of them in college, the Gores set aside the security of Bill's job to start a business. Bill's research at DuPont had convinced him that there was a market in the growing computer industry for wire insulated with a polymer called polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), known at DuPont by the trade name TEFLON(R). When DuPont decided against pursuing the idea, Bill, Vieve, and their eldest son, Bob, set up shop in the basement of the family's Newark, Delaware, home to make PTFE-insulated ribbon cable. A full and equal partner with her husband, Mrs. Gore was immersed in the business from the start. Although she would serve in many roles during her lifelong career at W. L. Gore & Associates, Mrs. Gore's first charge was to see that all the bills got paid. From these modest beginnings, Mrs. Gore helped W. L. Gore & Associates grow into a billion dollar corporation, along the way developing thousands of innovative products, and launching hugely successful consumer brands like GORE-TEX(R) fabric. Active in the company until her death, Mrs. Gore continued to be a presence at the company's offices, serve on the board of directors and, as its most tenured associate, delight Gore associates by officiating at events honoring the milestones and accomplishments of those who followed her inspiration. She embodied the values at the heart of the company's unique culture, most notably the belief in the inherent potential of every individual. Her enthusiasm, warmth and genuine interest in others spawned a legion of devoted followers and friends. In 1995, she joined with her son Bob and daughter-in-law Sally, in providing funding to the University of Delaware for the construction of a new classroom building, Gore Hall. In addition to her business pursuits, Mrs. Gore was involved in numerous social and civic activities during her lifetime. She served as a member o the Senior Council for the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce and co-founded the Delaware Community Foundation. She was named to the Board of Counselors of Goldey-Beacom College and was involved with the American Field Service and the Soroptimist Club. Mrs. Gore also served as a member of the Girl Scouts President's Advisory Council and the Board of Governors for Winterthur Museum.
Mrs. Gore was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, in 1913. She studied elementary education for two years at the University of Utah, and graduated from Henniger Business College in 1935. She was granted an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from Utah's Westminster College in 1982 and a Medal of Distinction from the University of Delaware in 1983. In 1989, she was named to the Delaware Women's Hall of Fame. In 1991, she was granted an honorary degree in Business Administration from Goldey-Beacom College. Both she and Bill were elected to the Delaware Business Leaders Hall of Fame in 1991 and the Junior Achievement National Business Hall of Fame in 2003.
In her personal time, Mrs. Gore pursued mountain climbing, swimming,tennis and music with the same enthusiasm that made W. L. Gore & Associates so successful under her guidance and leadership. She loved the outdoors and instilled that affection in her five children, Bob Gore of Newark, DE, Susan Gore of Cheyenne, WY, Ginger Giovale of Flagstaff, AZ, David Gore of Corvallis, OR, and Betty Snyder of Greenville, DE, who survive her. Also surviving her are 21 grandchildren and 33 great grandchildren. Her husband, Bill, died while they were on a camping trip in the Wind River Range of the Rocky Mountains in 1986. SOURCE W.L. Gore & Associates.
Born in Salt Lake City, Mrs. Gore spent her childhood on a cattle ranch in Wyoming. She studied elementary education for two years at the University of Utah and graduated from Henniger Business College in 1935. She married Wilbert L. "Bill" Gore in 1935. On their 23rd wedding anniversary, the Gores set aside the security of his job to start a business in the basement of the family's Newark home. Although she would serve in many roles during her lifelong career at W. L. Gore & Associates, Mrs. Gore's first charge was to see that all the bills were paid. From these modest beginnings, Mrs. Gore helped W. L. Gore & Associates grow into a successful global corporation, along the way developing thousands of innovative products and launching brands like GORE-TEX® fabric. Active in the company until her death, Mrs. Gore continued to be a presence at the company's offices and serve on the board of directors. According to an obituary published in the News-Journal, “Mrs. Gore took a genuine interest in people, and her enthusiasm and warmth spawned a legion of devoted followers and friends. She embodied the values at the heart of W. L. Gore & Associates' unique corporate culture, most notably the belief in the inherent potential of every individual. A supportive and unifying figure among her family and friends as well as within the community, Mrs. Gore's energy, natural charm and smile endeared her to everyone she touched.” Mrs. Gore was involved in numerous social and civic activities. She served as a member of the senior council for the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce and co-founded Delaware Community Services. She was named to the board of counselors of Goldey-Beacom College and was involved with the American Field Service and the Soroptimist Club. She also served as a member of the Girl Scouts President's Advisory Council and the board of governors for Winterthur Museum. Interested in education, she held roles as president of the PTA and as a member of the local school board. Among the many recipients of her giving were Independence School, Wilmington Friends School, Goldey-Beacom College, Ashbrook School in Corvallis, Ore., and Westminister College. Her honors included honorary degrees from Westminster College in Salt Lake City and Goldey-Beacom College in Wilmington, and she was named to the Delaware Women's Hall of Fame in 1989. Both she and her husband were elected to the Delaware Business Leaders Hall of Fame in 1991 and the Junior Achievement National Business Hall of Fame in 2003.
Mrs. Gore is survived by five children: Robert Gore of Newark, and his wife, Sally; Susan Gore of Cheyenne, Wyo.; Ginger Giovale of Flagstaff, Ariz., and her husband, John; David Gore of Corvallis, Ore., and his wife, Cecilia, and Elizabeth Snyder of Greenville; sister, Evelyn Urquhart of Sun City, Ariz.; 21 grandchildren; and 33 great-grandchildren. A memorial service will be held 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 23, in Mitchell Hall. A reception will follow in Gore Hall. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Genevieve W. Gore Fund for Music Education, c/o Delaware Community Foundation, P.O. Box 1636, Wilmington, DE 19899. To send condolences, visit [www.spicer-mullikinfuneralhomes.com].
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NEWARK, Del., Jan. 20, 2005 PRNewswire. Genevieve W. Gore, Co-Founder of W.L. Gore & Associates, Dies at 91. -- Genevieve Walton "Vieve" Gore, who with her husband, Wilbert, founded W. L. Gore & Associates, died today in Newark after a brief illness. She was 91. (Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050120/DCTH035) A native of Utah, Mrs. Gore married Wilbert L. "Bill" Gore in 1935. During the Second World War, they moved East where he began a career with the DuPont Company. On their 23rd wedding anniversary -- January 1, 1958 -- with five children to support, two of them in college, the Gores set aside the security of Bill's job to start a business. Bill's research at DuPont had convinced him that there was a market in the growing computer industry for wire insulated with a polymer called polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), known at DuPont by the trade name TEFLON(R). When DuPont decided against pursuing the idea, Bill, Vieve, and their eldest son, Bob, set up shop in the basement of the family's Newark, Delaware, home to make PTFE-insulated ribbon cable. A full and equal partner with her husband, Mrs. Gore was immersed in the business from the start. Although she would serve in many roles during her lifelong career at W. L. Gore & Associates, Mrs. Gore's first charge was to see that all the bills got paid. From these modest beginnings, Mrs. Gore helped W. L. Gore & Associates grow into a billion dollar corporation, along the way developing thousands of innovative products, and launching hugely successful consumer brands like GORE-TEX(R) fabric. Active in the company until her death, Mrs. Gore continued to be a presence at the company's offices, serve on the board of directors and, as its most tenured associate, delight Gore associates by officiating at events honoring the milestones and accomplishments of those who followed her inspiration. She embodied the values at the heart of the company's unique culture, most notably the belief in the inherent potential of every individual. Her enthusiasm, warmth and genuine interest in others spawned a legion of devoted followers and friends. In 1995, she joined with her son Bob and daughter-in-law Sally, in providing funding to the University of Delaware for the construction of a new classroom building, Gore Hall. In addition to her business pursuits, Mrs. Gore was involved in numerous social and civic activities during her lifetime. She served as a member o the Senior Council for the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce and co-founded the Delaware Community Foundation. She was named to the Board of Counselors of Goldey-Beacom College and was involved with the American Field Service and the Soroptimist Club. Mrs. Gore also served as a member of the Girl Scouts President's Advisory Council and the Board of Governors for Winterthur Museum.
Mrs. Gore was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, in 1913. She studied elementary education for two years at the University of Utah, and graduated from Henniger Business College in 1935. She was granted an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from Utah's Westminster College in 1982 and a Medal of Distinction from the University of Delaware in 1983. In 1989, she was named to the Delaware Women's Hall of Fame. In 1991, she was granted an honorary degree in Business Administration from Goldey-Beacom College. Both she and Bill were elected to the Delaware Business Leaders Hall of Fame in 1991 and the Junior Achievement National Business Hall of Fame in 2003.
In her personal time, Mrs. Gore pursued mountain climbing, swimming,tennis and music with the same enthusiasm that made W. L. Gore & Associates so successful under her guidance and leadership. She loved the outdoors and instilled that affection in her five children, Bob Gore of Newark, DE, Susan Gore of Cheyenne, WY, Ginger Giovale of Flagstaff, AZ, David Gore of Corvallis, OR, and Betty Snyder of Greenville, DE, who survive her. Also surviving her are 21 grandchildren and 33 great grandchildren. Her husband, Bill, died while they were on a camping trip in the Wind River Range of the Rocky Mountains in 1986. SOURCE W.L. Gore & Associates.
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