Family Hopes To Find 'Angel' Who Helped 89-Year-Old Grandma At Grocery Store

September 6, 2022

A kind stranger paid an elderly woman's $100 grocery bill after her only credit card declined while in the checkout line.

stranger pays elderly woman grocery bill
Marilyn Oettinger / CBS News

Last week, 89-year-old Marilyn Oettinger was shopping for groceries at the Star Market in Newton, Massachusetts — a rare unassisted trip since losing her husband a few months ago.

Things were going fine until the checkout line, when Marilyn discovered her only credit card had been canceled two days earlier because the account was in her late husband's name.

"And this amazing person behind her said 'Don't worry. I'll take care of your groceries'," Marylin's daughter Margie told CBS News.

acts of kindness good news
The Oettinger family / CBS News

The bill certainly wasn't meager -- it was $109.

"She tried to get his name," added Margie, "but he said 'No. Just say a prayer for me'."

The Oettinger family is pledging to pay it forward with similar kindness on future trips to the supermarket. But they're also trying to find the Good Samaritan.

"We're trying to find him. And even if he doesn't want to come forward, we're hoping that he'll know that we're incredibly grateful," Margie said.

"It's amazing to have an angel like that."


Click Here For The Most Popular On Sunny Skyz

feel good videoThese Cat Reactions To Owners Calling Them Through Security Cameras Are Absolutely Hilarious

feel good storiesKentucky Nurse Saves Drunk Raccoon With CPR After Dumpster Mishap

feel good storiesShoulder Labrum Tear Symptoms And The Causes Behind Them

feel good stories'Everyone Gets A Kick Out Of It': Baby Born At McDonald’s Parking Lot Has Perfect Nickname

feel good storiesThe Mechanical Nurse At Guy’s Hospital Is Equal Parts Creepy And Brilliant

feel good storiesDad And His Dog Share Breakfast Together Every Morning — And It’s The Sweetest Routine

feel good videoEpic ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ Flashmob Takes Over the Streets of Paris

feel good videoTexas Cheerleaders Perform Emotional 9/11 Tribute That Brings Crowd To Tears

feel good videoFDNY Honors Bride Whose Father Died On 9/11 With Touching Wedding Surprise

feel good videoHoney Badger Picks Fight With Elephant, Gets Hilariously Booted Away

feel good videoTiny Soccer Rivals Choose Hugs Over Competition

Chris Filippou 12:17 PM (3 minutes ago) to me