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Dear Meher Center Family and Friends,
A loving Jai Baba. The following is a statement approved by Meher Center’s board concerning the Sheriar Gatehouse property on the Center. With the passing last year of Phyllis Ott, the property automatically became part of the Center in accordance with a life estate deed created in 1966 between Meher Baba and Lyn and Phyllis Ott. Understandably, as Lyn and Phyllis and their family were such an important presence at the Center for decades, there is interest in knowing about the history behind this transference of property. The statement reads:
"In a letter to Elizabeth Patterson dated December 1966, Mani Irani wrote that Meher Baba had approved two life estate arrangements at Meher Center: One life estate deed was granted to Lyn and Phyllis Ott for the Sheriar Gatehouse property. A second life estate arrangement deeded the Meher House property to Jane Haynes and Charles Haynes. Concerning this deed, Baba instructed that "Charles’ name would be the most practical on the 'life estate' along with Jane’s; with Charles’ understanding of John and Wendy’s equal right to stay there in future if they wish." Under the terms of both life estate deeds approved by Baba, the properties would automatically revert to Meher Center after the demise of those named in the life estate agreements.
"In the same 1966 correspondence, Elizabeth communicated to Baba new advice from legal counsel that although life estate arrangements are legal, it would be in the best long-term interest of Meher Center as a non-profit religious organization if no additional life estate arrangements were created. In response, Baba agreed with that legal guidance and told Elizabeth that no further life estate deeds should be allowed.
"With the passing of Phyllis in September 2022, the Lyn and Phyllis Ott life estate ended and the deed to the Sheriar Gatehouse land reverted to Meher Center. According to tax laws and regulations governing use of land owned by non-profit religious organizations, now that the property has come back to Meher Center, it may no longer be used as a private residence but must be used by the Center only for its chartered purposes as a religious organization.
“The Board of Directors of Meher Center is currently reviewing options for the future use of the property consistent with the mission of Meher Center as given by Meher Baba.”
In Baba's love and service,
Buz Connor
For Meher Center board and staff
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