A struggling young waitress found a friend in the kindly old gentleman who frequented her restaurant. Little did she know how this friendship would change her life ..
College
What A Wonderful Life!
“Helen was one of the strongest ladies we have ever known, she did it her way!”
We are all aging. It is just a fact of life. However, many people react to this fact by withdrawing from daily life thinking that they have nothing to contribute to the world. This would never be said of today’s Surprise Millionaire Helen Yecny. This northern California lady recently passed away at the ripe old age of 99 and with the accolades and praise heaped upon her, you would think she was a young vibrant person half her age!
Frugal to a fault and always saving for that “rainy day”, Helen was quite the character. Content to live in the home and walnut orchard that she was born in, Helen could be seen most days tending to her yard and her orchard working to maintain the business that had supplemented she and her husband Lou’s income for decades.
However, don’t let it be said that Helen didn’t know how to enjoy life! After Lou’s passing, Helen became quiet the traveler accompanying friends to such places as Alaska, Mexico, Hawaii and Europe. She was also known for her quick wit and sense of humor which would liven up any conversation she was involved in.
Having not been blessed with children, Helen and Lou wanted to find a way to assist the children of the Central Valley region of California with obtaining a much-needed education.
This is why California State University, Stanislaus is the grateful recipient of $2.3 million from Helen’s estate. The funds will be used to sponsor scholarships through the university’s undergraduate honors program. But that’s not all, rumor has it that Helen left funds to some of the local high school districts as well.
I believe Helen’s obituary says it best, “Helen’s afterglow will be felt for generations to come.” What a wonderful statement and what a wonderful life!
“Weird Ward” A True Teacher
… he taught me that it’s not about yourself. ‘Do something for someone else — someone you’ll never meet.’
I’m sure there are many of us who could tell a story about a teacher who once inspired us, made us think about life in a different way or just made learning fun! Today’s Surprise Millionaire did all of those things while accumulating some wealth along the way.
High school chemistry teacher Pat ‘Weird’ Ward inspired his students with his wacky way of teaching chemistry. This led his students to bestow upon him the honorary moniker of ‘Weird’ Ward. Mr. Ward was also the type of teacher who inspired his students to reach for more in life than what they thought they might attain in their Tulsa Oklahoma neighborhoods. So it was no surprise upon his passing that this long time educator left a bequest to education. However, the size and scope of the gift was quite unexpected.
The Trailblazer
Nancy A. Johnson made history as the first female athletic coach in her Erie County New York school district. This educator and trailblazer left a wonderful surprise for her Alma Mater as well.
“A gasp went up from the standing-room-only crowd ..”
The Surprise Benefactor
This week I am very proud to feature a true Surprise Millionaire from my Alma mater, Missouri State University. This millionaire was neither a student nor professor at the university but rather a hard working secretary. From her homemade clothing to her modest demeanor, no one would have guessed she would one day be a major benefactor to the institution she had given so much of her life to.
The Son Who Went His Own Way
It can be hard to go your own way when your family is known for a certain profession or is affiliated with a certain company or industry. However, the rewards of following your passion can far outweigh the risks.
Professor Richard Shineman new the risks and also the rewards of this decision. He went his own way, followed his passion and long outlasted the company his family was known for. And with hard work and frugal living was able to make his world a better place.
