A multi-million-pound fortune left by a reclusive Highland Perthshire philanthropist could benefit schoolchildren throughout the area.
Bachelor Basil Death died at his mansion near Aberfeldy and left his vast £3.5 million estate to Theresa Wade, the loyal housekeeper who looked after him for nearly 60 years.
Now a trust has been established in Mr Death’s name, following Miss Wade’s passing.
The charitable organisation will share out the remainder of Mr Death’s fortune — and has appealed for local charities and projects to apply for grants of up to £3,000.
Specifically, Mr Death — pronounced “Deeth” — asked for the money to be distributed to educational projects for children under 18 in Highland Perthshire, the Roman Catholic Church and military charities.
The trust’s chairman William Jackson said: “The establishment of the trust and its associated grants offers a fantastic opportunity for organisations and individuals keen to undertake ambitious projects while at the same time, fulfilling Basil Death’s wishes in helping further the different facets of his lifelong passions.
“We are looking forward to receiving applications in due course and believe this opportunity will appeal to a wide range of associated projects and prospective interests.”
Applications, which will be considered in early March, can be made via the trust’s website.
Mr Death lived with Miss Wade at the nine-bedroom Dunellan mansion in Strathtay.
Miss Wade was just a teenager when she came to work below stairs for Mr Death’s family.
Those close to Mr Death said he had set up his will to ensure Miss Wade continued to benefit from his wealth — and did not face any sort of financial hardship — once he was gone.
He ordered trustees to pay Miss Wade a £50,000 cash sum in the first instance and pay her more payments “from time to time”. She was also allowed to have any pieces of his furniture or personal possessions she wanted.
And he ruled that in the event of Miss Wade’s death, a trust fund should be established for causes close to his heart.
The trust has not revealed how much of the substantial fortune remains.
After Mr Death died in July 2006, aged 90, spinster Miss Wade moved to a humble, former council house in Leeds.
Miss Wade started working for the Death family in the late 1940s and cooked, cleaned and did laundry for Mr Death, his parents and his brother.
Even when Mr Death’s parents and brother passed away, Miss Wade — known as Tess to friends — stayed on with him.
They moved into the £1.4 million mansion in the late 1980s.
In his will, the finance and property investor said he made the generous gift to Miss Wade “in recognition for her loyal and devoted service to me for a period of over 50 years”.
He instructed executors to set up the trust fund for the massive residue of his £3.5 million estate, which they would run until Miss Wade’s death.
The trust aims to benefit children living in the postcodes PH8, PH9, PH15, PH16 and PH18 and would also go towards “the relief of those in need by reason of age, ill-health, disability, financial hardship or some other disadvantage, particularly those who have served/ are serving in the British Armed Forces and their families”.
Mr Death was cremated and his ashes were buried with those of his brother and mother in Cockfosters, Middlesex.
