Frugal woman dies at 100 and leaves $35.6 million to charities

[nam78_two]

Nice!

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15315697/>1=8618

CORAL GABLES, Fla. - A 100-year-old woman who quietly amassed a vast fortune before her death last year left $35.6 million to local diabetes and cancer research.

Eugenia Dodson donated two-thirds of the money to the University of Miami’s Diabetes Research Institute, the largest gift in its 35-year history. The rest goes to the university’s Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center.

“She didn’t want any recognition in her lifetime, so she directed her lawyer to keep it confidential,” said Dr. W. Jarrard Goodwin, director of the Sylvester Center. “I told her people would be grateful. She said, ’No, I don’t want anyone to know.”’
Dodson lost part of a lung to cancer, and her two brothers died from complications to diabetes, according to Donald Kubit, co-trustee of her fund.

Dodson’s husband had held a stake in a limestone quarry, which went to her after his death in 1949. While she could have afforded a more lavish lifestyle, she instead saved money by living in a small condo and refusing in-home care until she was nearly 100, Kubit said.

“She denied herself the trappings of wealth. She was dead-set on doing good for humankind,” Kubit said. “She had a big heart.”

[lcordero2]

1. Forget the money

I want to know what she did in order to be self-sufficient at that age.

[SlavesandBulldozers]

2. it was probably her humanity that kept her healthy.

look at what greed does to people.

[Ishoutandscream2]

4. Damn good post

A wonderful, profound thought. I think I'll bring it out at times when I have discussions with all my Republican friends and co-workers.

[dsc]

9. my father's wife has a 97 year old aunt who is totally self sufficient

except for a major hearing loss she is as healthy as the typical 50 year old. She even is able to get into and out of the back seat of a two door car.

[roguevalley]

10. most people who live that long, many of them in my own family,

don't smoke, eat lean and balanced meals and do something physical every day even if its just walking. Their attitude is what keeps them alive. If your glass is half full, you are halfway there. :)

[stopbush]

3. Believe it or not, this isn't an unusual story.

I've worked in non-profit fundraising. There are two or three of these kind of stories that gain attention
each year and many others that go unreported. IIRC, 60+% of people who plan to leave a gift never tell the
receiving institution of their intentions before their death.

[Dragonbreathp9d]

5. If all the rich were like that I wouldnt mind the tax cuts!

[RobertSeattle]

6. What was here DU name?

:evilgrin:

[shadowknows69]

7. Good to see there are still human beings out there

Present company included of course.

[quiet.american]

8. What an inspiration. God bless her. n/t

[lcordero2]

11. It's an insult to call the lady "Frugal"

[nam78_two]

12. I personally don't think of frugal as an insult

I think its a compliment. Its better for the environment and better in many ways imo, provided you are also charitable about giving to others.

I like the idea of being frugal in everything one spends on oneself, but not when it comes to what you give to others-I think frugal is a good word :). Now, stingy would be an insult-cause that addresses what you give to others.


Frugal: 1. economical in use or expenditure; prudently saving or sparing; not wasteful: a frugal manager.
2. entailing little expense; requiring few resources; meager; scanty: a frugal meal.

[NMMNG]

13. How wonderful

It's nice to see people refusing lifestyles of conspicuous consumption even when they can afford them, and instead putting their wealth to beneficial uses.