Mystery surrounds the life of Mary Gwen Williams after it was revealed the quiet, unassuming senior citizen left $2.8 million to two charities ? including the Bermuda National Trust ? in her will.

Neighbours described Miss Williams, who died in 2002, as a ?frugal? and ?private? person who was often seen walking down Pitts Bay Road from her home into the City of Hamilton.

Miss Williams did not look like a conventional millionaire, but her $1.4 million donation to the National Trust clearly showed she was a wealthy woman.

Neighbour Brian Stephenson said she had a lot of acquaintances but didn?t seem to have many close friends.

?She kept her affairs close to herself,? he said.

?It was a complete surprise that she was such a wealthy person.?

He added that she read the newspaper frequently and always kept up with current news. He said she was always interesting to talk to.

When Miss Williams died in her early 80s in 2002 she had set out matching donations to be received by the National Trust and the Brecknock Wildlife Trust in her native Wales.

National Trust director Steve Conway was also taken by surprise but extremely grateful when he was told that Miss Williams had left such a large sum of money.

Mr. Conway said: ?We work hard to (raise) $30,000 in fund raising and then we get this in one fell swoop.?

He added that he also lived near the woman whom he also noted was very private.

A portion of the funds, Mr. Conway said, will be reserved for work on Davenport Cottage in St. George?s, which will bear a plaque in recognition of the donors.

The National Trust newsletter, Trustnews, explained that, ?bequests are treated as endowments, thus providing a significant anchor donation for a new drive for endowment funds. Bequests provide the Trust with security for the future, whereby the capital is secured and held by Trust as an asset.?

The newsletter said Miss Williams was a senior nurse on the female ward at St. Brendan?s Hospital until 1964. That same year she was appointed Matron until 1971. She later became a personal nurse to a neighbouring woman on Pitts Bay Road.

?Miss Williams fostered a friendly atmosphere at the hospital and encouraged nurses to seek higher professional qualifications, always taking the time to assist them when she could,? the newsletter said.