Paul M. Frank Quoted in the New York Times as Trustee of Surprising Multimillion-Dollar Donation

Unassuming, widowed Manhattanite Mary McConnell Bailey made headlines at the start of the new year, following the public revelation that she left millions of dollars—money few knew she had—to two New York institutions, the New York Public Library and the Central Park Conservancy, upon her death last year. As one of the trustees of her estate, Hodgson Russ partner Paul M. Frank was interviewed by the New York Times and quoted on the topic of Ms. Bailey’s modest lifestyle. According to Mr. Frank, no one would have guessed Ms. Bailey was sitting on a fortune, including a significant interest in the Roaring Spring Blank Book Company—the original manufacturer of the iconic black and white marble composition notebook.

The story of Ms. Bailey’s donation was picked up by multiple media outlets:

• “After Modest Life, Huge Gift to 2 Charities,” New York Times, January 1, 2013
• “Life of Golden Silence,” New York Post, January 1, 2013
• “Mary McConnell Bailey, Modest New York Widow, Quietly Leaves $20 Million To Public Library, Central Park,” Huffington Post, January 2, 2013
• “Reclusive Heiress, 88, Who Lived in $760,000 Two-Bed Apartment After Her Husband Died in WWII Leaves $20 Million Fortune to New York Public Library and Central Park”, New York Daily Mail, January 1, 2013