Helen Dyrdal was a very frugal woman who lived in a very small cottage with broken furniture and tattered clothes. with no family left behind, Dyrdal left her very close friend to manage her estate.

Her friend was shocked at the figures that kept popping up. Figures that accumulated to 3 million dollars. 

Dyrdal has willed all her money to charities. 

"Half a million (dollars). It's our largest single donation we've every received," said Gary Crumb of Providence Hospice of Seattle. 

Providence Hospice of Seattle says with the tight economy, the gift couldn't come at a better time.

"(It will) fund part of our pediatric hospice, which cares for children that are terminally ill," said Crumb. 

The Salvation Army in Renton will use $500,000 in donation for family services.

"We are very grateful to her for this big donation. It makes a big difference and we've already started working on expanding the building using that money," said Capt. Terry Masango. 

Ericson says her friend was very private, but wanted to send a message with the gifts she left behind.

"She said, 'I want people to recognize that I am a good person at heart,"' said Ericson.