Juanita Spalding of Greensboro died last May at 83.

Her brief obit listed no survivors. It said she had worked over the years for a doctor, a phone company, and some insurance companies, and described her as "a passionate advocate of protecting the environment." Commenters at the N&R online version said she was "a joy to be around" and "a delightful person."

And now, this, from Russ Williams at the North Carolina Zoo:

A check for $1 million from the estate of Juanita Spalding, Greensboro, was delivered at 5 p.m. yesterday. It is a partial distribution to allow the NC Zoo Society to acquire and protect land on behalf of its resident wildlife.

The wonderful, late donor described her intent to Zoo Director David Jones and me about a decade ago in her modest apartment near the Greensboro Arboretum.

Comments

[Lex]

Wow. Thank you, Juanita.

[Craftyboro]

Thank you Mam.

[Bill Yaner]

Selfless giving. The purest form.

Rest in peace Ms. Spaulding.

[Jim Langer]

We in Asheboro, and all of NC, are thankful.