A WIDOW from Greenock who left £1 million when she died has helped secure the future of her beloved church.

Unassuming Agnes Mangan lived in Prospecthill Street in Greenock and passed away two years ago at the age of 86.

Her parish priest Father John Morrison was stunned when he was told that St Patrick’s Church would receive £125,000 from her estate.

It is also understood she left money to Catholic charity St Martin’s Apostolate, based in Dublin, as well as other sums for close family members along with a number of other beneficiaries.

Former Boots assistant Agnes and her husband Daniel died almost a year apart.

The couple, who did not have any children, had lived a quiet life in Greenock.

Father John, of St Patrick’s, said: “It came as a complete and utter surprise to find out that Agnes had left us such a large sum of money. 

“No one had any idea.

“Agnes and her husband Daniel lived very quietly and kept themselves to themselves.

“She was very reserved and private but she was very much a part of of St Patrick’s.

“We are very, very grateful for this gift.

“It is very unusual to get this kind of sum of money left and we are amazed at her generosity.

“I think the amount of money they left took everyone by surprise, including their family.”

Agnes died on May 25 in 2015, a year after her husband Daniel who passed away on 29 May 2014.

Agnes worked latterly for the MOD and her husband Daniel was an electrician.

Father John added: “St Patrick’s is an A-listed building and we would love to use the money to repair the roof.

“It takes a lot of money to keep this building.”

St Patrick’s, in Orangefield, was built by famous architect Giacomo Antonia Coia in 1935.

The Tele understands the couple, who lived very quietly, left around £1million in total.

The sum Agnes left for St Martin Apostolate was to help the Dublin-based order support both the poor and infirm and to publish a magazine.

Both Agnes and Daniel were deeply committed to St Patrick’s.

One parishioner said: “We really want people to know about this generous donation bequeathed to our church.”