Amelia Bauner, who retired as a teacher after 44 years in the Quincy Public Schools, left nearly a million dollars to the community. The announcement of her donation was made this morning in a press release from the Community Foundation of the Quincy Area.

Mrs. Bauner died in May 2008 at the age of 99.

"Amelia had been generous throughout her life, not just after death," said her friend, Anita Wall. "She felt more good would come from (her money) by sharing."

The Community Foundation of the Quincy Area, the Adams County Chapter of the American Red Cross, and the Quincy Salvation Army have learned that they will benefit from the local woman's estate by almost $320,000 each.

Mrs. Bauner also remembered churches, cemetery associations, educational institutions as well as local and national charities.

"Mrs. Bauner had very little family, but many friends," attorney Henry B. Geise said. "(She) was well aware of her financial situation and knew there would be substantial assets remaining at the time of her death after the gifts to her friends. She wanted to do something for the community and to honor her brother and sister."

Mrs. Bauner joined the Irving School faculty as the third-grade teacher in the fall of 1930. In 1940, she was transferred to the Irving kindergarten, where she remained until 1966, when she became Quincy's first visiting teacher, serving Irving, Washington, Dewey, Jefferson, Jackson and Highland-Riverside schools until she retired in 1974.

Through her bequest, two permanent endowments were established through the Community Foundation.

The Amelia E. Bauner, Frances A. Hall and Walter J. Hall Charitable Fund will provide the Quincy Service League with funds to be

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distributed for its charitable purposes. The Amelia E. Bauner, Frances A. Hall and Walter J. Hall Scholarship fund will assist Adams County students studying to be teachers at Quincy University.

Her gift to the American Red Cross will help the agency continue to provide services to the community.

Mrs. Bauner designated her gift to the Quincy Salvation Army for the Hometown Endowment. Earnings will help provide food, clothing, shelter and other basic needs for families in crisis in the community as well as operational support, Director of Development Patty Douglas said.

--hwagner@whig.com/221-3374