Unassuming Florida Woman Leaves $35.6-Million for Research
October 20, 2006 | Read Time: 1 minute
A woman in Florida slowly grew a fortune through wise investing and a frugal lifestyle, and after her death bequeathed $35.6-million to support cancer and diabetes research at the University of Miami, reports The Associated Press.
Eugenia J. Dodson, who died last year at the age of 100, requested that two-thirds of her bequest, $23.5-million, go to the Diabetes Research Institute. Her two brothers died from complications from the disease. The remainder of the money is going to the university’s Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center. Ms. Dodson lost part of a lung to cancer.
Ms. Dodson’s husband died in 1949, leaving her a stake in a limestone quarry.
“She denied herself the trappings of wealth. She was dead-set on doing good for humankind,” said Donald Kubit, a co-trustee of her estate. “She had a big heart.”
