text: Former primary school teacher Mary Cowan, 92, has generously stated in her will that £700,000 of her £2million fortune should be left to charity groups . A teacher who taught at Sir Chris Hoy's former school has left a share of the £2million fortune she made from stocks and shares to help children from poorer backgrounds. Mary Cowan, 92, generously ordered that a large slice of her estate should be given to George Watson's College in Edinburgh where she had devoted years of her life to teaching primary school children. Ms Cowan, of Edinburgh, passed away in November last year but her will revealed she asked for a bursary scheme to be set up in her name at the school where famous faces such as Olympic hero Sir Chris Hoy and rugby legend Gavin Hastings were taught. Ms Cowan never married and worked and lived in Edinburgh her whole adult life, retiring from her job at the college in 1981. She started off teaching pupils of primary school age, before working her way up to be assistant headmistress. She was raised with her brother Martin in Kirkcudbrightshire, where her family had lived for generations and ran a grocer shop, before moving to the city where she lived in a modest semi-detached house which sold for £490,000 in 2012. Her published will has now revealed that she had an estate worth nearly £2million and asked that more than £700,000 be given to friends and family. The bulk of her wealth was made up of a stocks and shares portfolio and she left instructions for the remainder to be handed over to good causes. The Mary Cowan Bursary will have funds of around £325,000 and will be used to help current or prospective poorer pupils attend the school. A group of trustees will decide if applicants are successful. Ms Cowan also asked that Falkirk High School be given a share of her estate to set up a fund in memory of her mother called the 'The Jane Martin Waddell Prize' that would see outstanding pupils recognised for academic achievements. Other groups which can expect windfalls include The Royal National Institute of Blind People, Blind Veterans UK, Christian Aid, and The Salvation Army. Morningside Parish Church in Edinburgh, where Ms Cowan was a well-known member of the congregation, Alzheimer Scotland, and The Royal Hospital for Sick Children have also been included in her will. Ms Cowan stated in her will that a bursary scheme should be set up in her name at George Watson's College in Edinburgh, where she taught. She left around £325,000 to the fund to help poorer pupils attend the school . Ms Cowan, of Edinburgh, asked in her will for a bursary scheme to be set up in her name at George Watson's College where famous faces such as Sir Chris Hoy (left) and rugby legend Gavin Hastings (right) were taught . Reverend Derek Browning of Morningside Parish Church paid tribute to the generous former teacher. He said: 'First and foremost she was a teacher - and her passion for Watson's was second to none. George Watson's College in Edinburgh . Falkirk High School . The Royal National Institute of Blind People . Blind Veterans UK . Christian Aid . The Salvation Army . Morningside Parish Church in Edinburgh . Alzheimer Scotland . The Royal Hospital for Sick Children . 'Ms Cowan was supremely proud of her school, and delighted to work alongside staff who shared her commitment to educating the young. 'I know that her influence and her enthusiasm have touched many lives, and she remembered her students with pleasure and affection.' He added: 'Church was her other great passion. She loved her church, and did everything she could to help those in it. 'She was the epitome of a Christian lady. 'She taught by example, she lived by faith, she enjoyed so many things, and was interested in just about everything.' Melvyn Roffe, principal of George Watson's College, said: 'Mary Cowan was well known in the Watson's community having taught many generations of pupils and we were very sad to hear of her recent death. 'Miss Cowan joined George Watson's Ladies College in George Square as a primary school teacher, also teaching French, in 1945 and taught until 1972 when she was appointed assistant head teacher in the primary school. Ms Cowan never married and had no children. She grew up in Kirkcudbrightshire before moving to Edinburgh where she lived for the rest of her life, including in this semi-detached property (right) for 20 years until 2012 . Ms Cowan also left money for Alzheimer Scotland and The Royal Hospital for Sick Children (pictured) 'She finally retired from Watson's in 1981. Throughout her life she was a great supporter of our Family Foundation. 'We are touched by the news that a trust created by her estate will fund the attendance at Watson's of many pupils whose family circumstances would not otherwise enable them to study here. 'It will help us to perpetuate the memory of a much loved and respected former member of staff and, of course, the legacy of our founder, George Watson himself.' Watson's was opened in 1741 by merchant and banker George Watson who wanted children from less advantaged backgrounds to enjoy the quality of education available to those more fortunate.
target: Mary Cowan, 92, has generously left share of £2million fortune to charities .
  Former teacher said in will £325,000 should  help poor children go to school .
  Other groups to benefit include Blind Veterans UK and The Salvation Army .
  Money also left to Alzheimer Scotland, children's hospital and churches .