Frugal teacher leaves millions to charity

A Canadian teacher who lived a frugal life but gave large, anonymous donations to people in need has left a $A5.2 million fortune to an environmental charity.

Roberta Langtry, 89, kept her wealth a secret until her death last year.

The Toronto woman had worked as an elementary school teacher and speech therapist for 55 years, quietly amassing millions, mainly from financial investments.

Her executor and long-time friend, Robert Borden, said: "She was friends with all her neighbours and they loved her but had no idea she had two nickels to rub together".

Mr Borden, who became Ms Langtry's financial adviser in 1973, said the retired teacher had been deeply environmentally conscious and incredibly frugal.

She once urged Mr Borden to invest in a company that made plastic picnic tables in the hope that they would take off, curbing the need for wooden ones and helping save trees.

- Reuters