(Photo of “Grace’s Cottage” by Chris Walker for Chicago Tribune)

In the small but rich city of Lake Forest, Illinois, lived Grace Groner, a nice woman who lived her life with simplicity. Her parents died when she was 12, with her and her sister being raised by friends of her family during the Depression. The Andersons, her adoptive family, helped put her through college, where she became a secretary for Abbott Laboratories for 43 years. In 1935, Ms. Groner bought 3 bonds worth $60 dollars each. She lived in a small one-bedroom house, didn’t own a car, or have any children, and she was never married. Instead, she preferred to live a quiet life with many friends to surround herself with. At the age of 100, she passed away leaving behind the 3 bonds to Lake Forest College, the school she herself attended all those years ago. What was once an investment worth $180 dollars, had now turned into $7 million dollars.

Grace was always involved in the community and the college; she often attended football games and school meetings. Prior to her death, she made a scholarship program and gave $180,000, as well as  set-up a foundation for the college so they could receive her “gift” . No one however, thought it would be so big! The foundation is using the $7 million dollars to create study-abroad programs and internships for their prospective students.

Her house was also donated to the College, where it will house women receiving scholarships from her foundation. Her simple little house is now called “Gracie’s Cottage”.

Talk about one amazing woman with a big heart!

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