A SCOTS library has launched a global plea to find the family of a woman who left the community institution £188,000 in her will.
Motherwell Library issued the plea on Tuesday as an invitation to the family of Letitia McKell ahead of the building’s reopening following refurbishment work.
Letitia was born in Wishaw, North Lanarkshire in 1919 and moved to America with husband Frank in 1945, where she passed away at age 81 in September 2001.
However, the generous OAP never forgot where she came from, and left a whopping six-figure donation to the library in her will.
The funds have since been spent on the library’s five-year refurbishment – complete with an area fondly known as The Letitia McKell MakerSpace – and now, the library hopes to have their cherished donor’s family present for the big reveal.
The library shared their global plea online this week, writing: “Can you help us to find friends and family of a Wishaw woman who left almost £190,000 to Motherwell Library in her will?
“Letitia McKell left her hometown and moved to America in 1945 but never forgot the area she grew up in.
“Now, as the refurbishment of the library nears completion, friends and family of Mrs McKell (née Milligan) are being invited to the opening to share in her memory.
“Contact the libraries team by calling 01698 332636 or emailing MotherwellLibrary@northlan.gov.uk.”
The post received over 200 likes and dozens of comments from locals hopeful that the family of Letitia can be found.
Linda Golden wrote: “Wonderful gift. How kind – her generosity will benefit so many.”
Betty Wilson said: “Spent lots of time here many years ago.”
Sarah Jarvis commented: “One long-lost sister may have descendants in Canada.”
Carol McKay added: “What a wonderful gift.”
Communities Library Manager Russell Brown said: “Thanks to Mrs McKell’s generous contribution we have been able to create a new creative and craft space within the facility.
“The Letitia McKell MakerSpace is the final part of a five-year redevelopment project at Motherwell Library, which also included a complete reroofing and rendering of the building, a full rewire and total redesign of both the ground and first floor.”
Councillor Jim Logue, Leader of North Lanarkshire Council, said: “We cannot thank Letitia enough for her kindness and generosity.
“It’s remarkable that someone who moved away from North Lanarkshire more than half a century ago never forgot where she came from and her love of Motherwell Library.
“We feel it’s important that anyone related to her or who remembers her should attend the opening and share memories of her.”
A spokesperson for South Lanarkshire Council today said: “The very generous bequest from Ms McKell was split evenly between South Lanarkshire Council and North Lanarkshire Council.
“We were delighted to receive it and the bequest contributed substantially to a project to refurbish East Kilbride Central Library, including ceiling repairs and new LED lighting to make it an even more welcoming environment for book lovers and other library users.”
The MakerSpace is due to open later this month where it is hoped Letitia’s family will join in celebrations of the redeveloped library spaces.
Letitia had originally written in her will that she wished for £350,000 of her money to be left to “Motherwell Public Library in East Kilbride” which is not the official name of the establishment.
As a result of this, North and South Lanarkshire Councils both agreed to divide the money between Motherwell Library and East Kilbride library.
Those who know the family or may be related to Letitia are urged to contact the library by calling 01698 332636 or emailing MotherwellLibrary@northlan.gov.uk
