For some people, giving is a life’s purpose. This was the case for Grace Groner who died last January:

Grace Groner lived frugally but was happy to spend money on things she found important. Since she had lived through the Depression, Groner bought clothes from rummage sales and lived in a sparsely furnished one-bedroom house. But she also traveled widely after her retirement, frequently helped needy parishoners of her church and even set up a small scholarship fund for her alma mater, Lake Forest College in Illinios.

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Her plan was always to contribute more upon her death, the Chicago Tribune reported. When that time came earlier this year and her attorney informed Stephen Schutt, the college’s president, how large the gift was, Schutt’s response was, “Oh, my God.”

Groner’s estate, which was seeded with a $180 stock purchase in 1935, was worth $7 million.

The money is going into a foundation that will enable less-advantaged Lake Forest students to pursue internships and study-abroad programs.

Groner, who never wed nor had children, has also bequeathed to the college her small home, which will be turned into housing for women receiving foundation scholarships and will be renamed Grace’s Cottage.

Grace's Home, which she also donated.