A Nova Scotian woman whose tale of generosity touched millions around the world has died.
Violet Large, 79, died Saturday in Colchester Regional Hospital after a battle with ovarian cancer.
The Lower Truro woman and her husband Allen Large became household names not for their July 2010 lottery win, but for what they did with the millions they received.
Despite the windfall, the retired couple continued to drive their old car and truck, and lived comfortably in their 147-year-old farmhouse.
And they gave away almost all of the $11.2 million they received.
"What you’ve never had, you never miss," Violet told The Chronicle Herald in November.
The couple quietly donated to hospitals in Truro and Halifax where Violet, who had been diagnosed with cancer a few months before the win, underwent treatment. They also gave to family members, churches, cemeteries, fire departments, the Victorian Order of Nurses, the home and school association, Red Cross, SPCA, War Amps and many other organizations.
The couple wouldn’t say how much they donated to each group, but they kept giving until there was nothing left but a small percentage — about two per cent — to keep their home running.
When the story of the couple’s kindness broke, interview requests poured in from the U.S. and the U.K. But the couple didn’t understand the fuss.
Violet said at the time that she and her husband felt privileged to be able to give back to the community and help all those who had helped them.
"We’re the lucky ones," Violet said. "I have no complaints."
Her husband of 37 years called the money "a big headache" for the couple when he spoke to The Chronicle Herald last year. And he choked back tears when he talked about Violet’s failing health.
"All the money in the world can’t buy your health," he said.
Last month, the couple received the 2011 Maritime Outstanding Individual Philanthropist Award from the Nova Scotia branch of the Association of Fundraising Professionals. The Larges were unable to attend due to Violet’s illness, but a representative from the Colchester Regional Hospital Foundation accepted the honour on their behalf.
A statement released by the foundation Monday called Violet "a friend to the foundation for many years and, more recently, a friend to those of us who work there."
"She was a wonderful example of strength and grace, kindness and truth. She gave us many lasting gifts: the reminder of how precious life is; how to mean what you say and say what you mean; to be a good person and a good neighbour; to always do what you say you will; and, perhaps the most important for a happy life, to want what you have, not have what you want."
Rev. Ian Harrison, who will officiate Violet’s funeral service, scheduled for 2 p.m. today at Mattatall-Varner Funeral Home, said it’s unlikely the couple ever intended for anyone to know about their generosity.
The Larges recognized that their winnings weren’t as important as helping others, he said, and people need to focus more on that idea.
"The money was more of a crutch than anything, something that was an excess that they needed to give openly to others and to those who would probably benefit from it more than they would," he said.
The media have been asked to stay away from the funeral home leading up to and after the funeral service, and not to attend the private interment at the cemetery.
"This is a very emotional time and the family deserves to be given the privacy they need to grieve and share with their family and friends," said a statement issued by the funeral home and signed by Violet’s widower.
"We would like to thank you in advance for your concerns and sympathy and also for your co-operation."
Her obituary says that donations may be made in her memory to the Old Barns United Church, Economy Cemetery or a charity of choice.
With Michael Gorman, Truro Bureau
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