The late Elizabeth O’Kelly is remembered for her “kindness and generosity”
Five Irish charities have received massive donations on behalf of the late Elizabeth O’Kelly who named them in her will.
O’Kelly, who most recently lived in Stradbally, Co Laois, named the Irish Cancer Society, the Irish Heart Foundation, the Irish Kidney Association, the Irish Society for Autistic Children, and the RNLI in her will. Each will receive an equal portion of O’Kelly’s staggering €30m fortune.
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The €6 million donation to the Irish Cancer Society is the largest in the charity’s history. O’Kelly herself battled cancer in the 1980s.
On Wednesday, the ICS said in a statement that O’Kelly’s “kindness and generosity is reflected in her decision to leave equal amounts in her will to five charities.”
“We are deeply grateful to Mrs. Elizabeth O’Kelly for generously remembering people with cancer in her will. Her generosity will provide hope to so many people affected by cancer and deliver improvements in cancer care that would have been impossible otherwise.”
“Mrs. O’Kelly successfully battled cancer in the 1980s. She knew first-hand the challenges cancer patients face and the positive difference the Irish Cancer Society makes to them in their time of need”.
The ICS added that the progression in cancer research comes largely in part from the donations the Society receives, like the one from O’Kelly.
“We cannot deliver truly world-class cancer services in Ireland without far greater investment in research and transformational projects. The scale of the challenge in cancer prevention, treatment and support is simply too great”.
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Tara Matthews, deputy executive director of the Irish Society for Autism, said the group was “greatly appreciative” of O’Kelly’s €6 million donation. This is also the largest donation the Society has ever received.
“A contribution of this size will have a major impact on the society’s work and help to progress the understanding of autism within Ireland,” said Matthews.
“Equipped with knowledge and training, we can all make a significant impact in helping improve the lives of those with autism and their families.”
O’Kelly, who passed away in 2016 at the age of 93, was a shareholder in Clylim Properties, which has extensive property interests in Dublin. She also made about €30 million from the sale of the Leinster Leader newspaper in 2005, reports The Irish Times.
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