Frugal Spinster leaves 1 million pounds fortune to charity

When a Glasgow spinster died leaving a Will, the executors were stunned to find that she had amassed a secret personal fortune of over £1million.

72 year old Margaret Dickson lived in a modest tenement flat worth just £72,500 and had not worked since 1986 due to an accident.

When Margaret died in March last year following a two and a half year battle with lung cancer, Cousin Jean Brock and her husband Ian had been appointed executors of her Will.

Mrs and Mrs Brock were shocked to discover the extent of Margaret's fortune.  Commenting in the Daily Mail, they said, "She lived in a very modest flat and didn't live and extravagant lifestyle.  She had three separate bank accounts, each containing £100,000".

A former teacher in the Ruchazie area of Glasgow, Margaret made some smart investments during her lifetime.  With £63,000 in Marks and Spencer shares, £62,000 of shares in British American Tobacco and a further £230,000 in the Government backed National Savings and Investments.

As an only child, Margaret was never married and her fortune grew rapidly after she took investment advice from her Stockbroker uncle.  With no apparent interest in creature comforts, the ailing spinster's only extravagance was a passion for foreign travel.

Just £20,000 of the Glaswegian's £1,119, 455.73 fortune was left to family and friends with the remainder going to deserving charities. 

Cancer Research UK and the British Heart Foundation each received £250,000.  The Royal National Lifeboat Institute, Barnardos and the National Institute for the Blind were also generously gifted £180,000 each in Margaret Dickson's Will.

Contact our Preston Wills and Probate solicitors to discuss making a Will or any of your sensitive probate matters on 01772 882 888 or email info@ellencourt.com.

Ellen Court Solicitors

Wills and Probate

Preston & National

Tel: 01772 882 888