Supporter Spotlight: Colleen ‘Coco’ Gendron

By Wendy Almeida

In the 1970s, Colleen ‘Coco’ Gendron was introduced to hiking by a close friend’s father, an avid hiker and Appalachian Mountain Club instructor, who shared stories of Mount Washington and the White Mountains. Her first hike up the mountain was memorable: “I was completely unprepared and naïve, but fortunately in the company of a few seasoned hikers, we made a successful trip.” That experience “gave me the hiking bug,” she says, and soon she learned more about the Observatory during a visit to its North Conway office and speaking with curator, Dr. Peter Crane. She then signed up for an EduTrip and “my connection with the Observatory truly began. I’ve been consistently amazed by what is accomplished on the summit and remain deeply appreciative of the community and mission at the top of the mountain.” 

Coco first participated in Seek the Peak in 2013 because she “wanted to support the important work done by the Observatory and it quickly became an annual tradition.” Now living in Florida, she still plans her trips to the Northeast so she can participate in the event. “It’s my way to reconnect.” 

Coco values the Observatory’s scientific research and educational programs, but one part of its history holds a special place in her heart: the summit cats. From Inga in the early 1980s, to Nin, then Marty (who looked just like her own cat, Buddy), and now to Nimbus, she sees them as playing an integral role at the Observatory since its founding, “not just for rodent control, but more importantly for companionship.” She hopes to see an exhibit at the summit someday to honor “these beloved cats and their contributions and celebrate a charming part of the Observatory’s history, especially for children and cat lovers.”