For years, Florida middle school guidance director Susan Parker quietly gave money to pay for lunches of students whose money was stolen. It wasn't until her death that co-workers learned of Parker's generosity.

Now, her charity is benefiting Ball State because her estate bestowed $72,685 to the Ball State Fund. The fund is used for scholarships, student and faculty recruitment and retention, innovative academic programs, special capital projects and other needs of the university.

Parker died suddenly Oct. 4, 2006. She was a 26-year employee of Pines Middle School in Pembroke Pines, Fla., where co-workers described her as a well-liked administrator who never raised her voice or lost her temper.

However, colleagues knew little about her personal life, and it wasn't until after her death that they discovered she had anonymously donated lunch money for students for 10 years.

Parker's parents preceded her in death. Her father, Harold Gallagher, earned three degrees from Ball State.

For information about the Ball State Fund, contact the Office of University Development at (765) 285-8261.