Rome to remember act of generosity with plaque at Muratella cat shelter.An Italian librarian who died in Rome in January of this year has left more than €156,000 in her will to the city's Muratella shelter for stray cats.Lucilla Vespucci, a longtime librarian at the capital's Sapienza University, was known for her commitment to social work and animal welfare and for teaching Italian to foreigners in the Esquilino district. She is also remembered for her great love of cats. In her will, she left €156,617 to "the Muratella municipal cat shelter in Rome for the purchase and maintenance of furnishings and equipment that will help my beloved cats live in more comfortable conditions." Why Rome's stray cats have a special place in the city's heart Vespucci's will also included a request for a commemorative plaque "in memory of myself and Alfonso Vignoli," her husband, who died in 2019. Rome's environment councillor Sabrina Alfonsi said she was "truly moved" by Vespucci's generosity, noting that the city will "keep her memory alive" with a plaque at the Muratella cat shelter.

An Italian librarian who died in Rome in January of this year has left more than €156,000 in her will to the city's Muratella shelter for stray cats. Lucilla Vespucci, a longtime librarian at the capital's Sapienza University, was known for her commitment to social work and animal welfare and for teaching Italian to foreigners in the Esquilino district. She is also remembered for her great love of cats. In her will, she left €156,617 to "the Muratella municipal cat shelter in Rome for the purchase and maintenance of furnishings and equipment that will help my beloved cats live in more comfortable conditions."

• Why Rome's stray cats have a special place in the city's heart

Vespucci's will also included a request for a commemorative plaque "in memory of myself and Alfonso Vignoli," her husband, who died in 2019. Rome's environment councillor Sabrina Alfonsi said she was "truly moved" by Vespucci's generosity, noting that the city will "keep her memory alive" with a plaque at the Muratella cat shelter.