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Late Salem Woman Leaves $160,000 For City

SALEM (CBS) - A retired Salem nurse who passed away two years ago is continuing to help her community.

The late Irene Willey, a nurse at Salem Hospital for 40 years, left $160,000 from the sale of her home to the Salem Council on Aging.

WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Doug Cope reports.

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Council Assistant Director Bill Wooley says they were surprised by the gift.

"We hadn't heard the name at all, and before we knew what the bequest would be, we kind of assumed it would be a nice amount, but nothing spectacular. This turned out to be spectacular," said Wooley.

Director Doug Bollen said Willey, who had no immediate relatives, will be remembered when they move to a new building soon.

"The mayor was talking about naming a portion or wing of the new life community center after her, which is more than appropriate," said Bollen.

Willey was 96 when she passed away in 2009.

"I wish we could have found some way to thank her," said Wooley.

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