Booth leaves fortune to library

WESLACO — Library director Michael Fisher never met Marion Booth, and he doesn't know much about her either.

But he does know two things: she was a patron of the Weslaco Public Library. And the library is incredibly thankful to her.

Earlier this month, Fisher and the library staff learned Booth, who died in January at age 84, left a large bequest to the library in her will.

Fisher said after taxes and estate fees, the sum will come to about $350,000 - the largest contribution to the library in its history.

"This came as a total surprise," Fisher said.

Fisher said he got a call earlier this month from a Texas State Bank official telling him about the bequest. He said the library occasionally gets bequests, but he had no idea this one would be so large.

"This really came as a shock," Fisher said. "A very pleasant shock."

Fisher doesn't know why Booth chose the library but thinks it may have something to do with an outreach program the library has with the John Knox Village retirement community in Weslaco, where Booth lived.

He said the library regularly provides materials to John Knox Village, switching out books about once a month.

"Apparently she was pleased with our services," Fisher said.

Jeanette Cash, marketing director for the community, said she does not believe Booth had children.

Fisher said Booth also left money in her will to the Knapp Medical Center Foundation. Officials there did not immediately know how much she had left, but Fisher said Booth's estate was split evenly between Knapp and the library.

Fisher said the library has an annual budget of about $900,000. With Booth's contribution, the library hopes to establish a foundation that will help attract more contributions.

Once the library actually gets Booth's contribution later this year, it will establish an endowment, drawing on the interest to help fund special projects, Fisher said.

The contribution will allow the library to "take risks," Fisher said. For example, the library could start using new reference databases funded by the bequest.

If the public likes them, they could be included in the next year's budget. If they're not a success, taxpayer money would not have been spent on the project.

Cash said Booth enjoyed oil painting and won a competition for her paintings last year. She also said Booth enjoyed gardening.

Booth moved to John Knox in 2000 but lived in Weslaco long before that, Cash said. She worked as a nurse before retiring, and she volunteered regularly at Knapp until near the end of her life, Cash said.

"She was friends to everybody," Cash said. "She was a little, quiet lady who mostly painted."