When Helen Dodd, 104, died this year, she willed away 4.8 million dollars to local hospitals and a parish who took care of her family's spiritual and physical health. St. Joseph Parish in Babylon, Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center in West Islip, and Southside Hospital in Bay Shore each received 1.6 million dollars.

The money to the hospitals is earmarked to help "needy persons" and St. Joseph Church will use the funds for "general parish purposes," according to the will.

"She gifted well over a third of her accumulated wealth," commented Arthur Field, her nephew, who handed the checks to each of the establishments in late August. "She felt deeply committed to feeding the lambs," he said, referring to the Bible's call to care for the needy.

Even though Helen Dodd visited Europe, South America and the Middle East and lived in many places like Illinois, Colorado and California, she always had a love affair with Babylon. Dodd often returned to live in Babylon throughout her life.

In 1964, she settled permanently in Babylon Village on McCue Lane, and later to an assisted living residence, the Babylon Beach House. She died on March 4, 2008 and was buried in a family plot at St. Joseph Cemetery in Babylon.

Shown in the photo, Helen Dodd's nephew Arthur Field hands over a check for 1.6 million dollars to the pastor of St. Joseph Church, Father Chris Heller.