Norwood Hospital, Norwood Historical Society, and Norwood Women’s Club Among Beneficiaries in Probate Court Ruling
NORWOOD – Reflecting a remarkable commitment to local civic institutions, healthcare, and national charities, the late Anna M. Roundy of 36 Beech Street (pictured) left an estimated estate of $500,000—including $125,000 dedicated directly to charitable organizations—according to probate documents allowed on Wednesday, November 16, 1966, by Judge James F. Reynolds in Norfolk Probate Court. Miss Roundy, who passed away on September 1, 1966, at the age of 82, originally executed her will on July 17, 1963.
The single largest charitable gift in Miss Roundy’s will was a $20,000 bequest to Norwood Hospital in Norwood. She also directed significant local support to other community pillars, leaving $2,000 to the Norwood Historical Society, $500 to the Norwood Community Association, and a specialized gift of $2,000 plus 20 shares of IBM stock (valued at approximately $350 per share) to the Norwood Women’s Club. In a thoughtful personal touch, Miss Roundy additionally bequeathed 20 shares of IBM stock to the Boston Tea Party Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), stipulating that the investment income be used specifically to purchase refreshments for chapter meetings so members would not have to prepare them themselves.
Wide-Ranging Support for Regional Healthcare, Social Services, and Education
Beyond her hometown of Norwood, Miss Roundy distributed generous sums across numerous medical, educational, and humanitarian institutions:
- $10,000 Bequests: Awarded to both the American Cancer Society and the Arthritis and Rheumatism Foundation of Boston.
- $5,000 Bequests: Distributed to the Massachusetts Heart Association, the Florence Crittenton League of Compassion, Boston Aid to the Blind, the New England Home for Little Wanderers of Boston, the American Foundation for the Blind, Morgan Memorial Goodwill Industries, the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, and the Salvation Army of Brockton.
- $2,000 Bequests: Granted to the Doolittle Home of Foxboro, the Hillside School for Boys in Marlboro, the Boys’ Club of Boston, the Massachusetts Audubon Society, the Home for Aged Women of Boston, the Caney Creek Community Center in Pippa Passes, Kentucky, and the Piney Woods Country Life School in Piney Woods, Mississippi.
- $1,000 Bequests: Allocated to the Industrial School for Crippled Children, the Union Rescue Mission of Boston, the Seaman’s Club of Boston, the Joslin Camp for Diabetic Children in Oxford, the Massachusetts Horticultural Society, the Grenfell Association of Boston, the Massachusetts Council of Churches, the Travelers Aid Society of Boston, the Pond Home in Wrentham, and the Universalist Church of the Redeemer in Chelsea.
Following the distribution of these charitable gifts and several personal bequests, the remainder of Miss Roundy’s estate was left to a distant relative, Arthur W. Coolidge, and his wife, Jean, of Scotia, New York.
1966 Estate & Bequests Adjusted to 2026 Dollars
Adjusted for inflation using U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics CPI data ($1.00 in Nov. 1966 ≈ $9.94 in 2026)
| Estate Item / Beneficiary | 1966 Value | 2026 Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| Total Estimated Estate | $500,000 | ~$4,970,000 |
| Total Charitable Bequests | $125,000 | ~$1,242,500 |
| Norwood Hospital (Largest Single Gift) | $20,000 | ~$198,800 |
| American Cancer Society & Arthritis Foundation (Each) | $10,000 | ~$99,400 |
| Norwood Women’s Club ($2,000 Cash + 20 Shares IBM @ $350/sh) | $9,000 | ~$89,460 |
| Boston Tea Party Chapter DAR (20 Shares IBM @ $350/sh) | $7,000 | ~$69,580 |
| Regional Health, Blind & Youth Charities (8 Orgs, Each) | $5,000 | ~$49,700 |
| Norwood Historical Society & 7 Other Charities (Each) | $2,000 | ~$19,880 |
| Civic, Medical & Religious Institutions (10 Orgs, Each) | $1,000 | ~$9,940 |
| Norwood Community Association | $500 | ~$4,970 |
Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger
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