The widow of the founder of the McDonald's chain of fast-food restaurants has given $80 million to the Salvation Army, the Associated Press reports. The gift is the largest in the organization's history.

Joan Kroc, widow of hamburger king Ray Kroc, says she hopes she and her husband will be remembered for their giving as well as his business success.

Mrs. Kroc was ranked by Forbes magazine in February as No. 36 among the nation's top philanthropists. The gift comes after Mrs. Kroc gave $25 million to the University of San Diego for a peace studies center in March. She's also known as the "Angel of Grand Forks" for anonymously giving $15 million to help flood victims in North Dakota last year. She later was uncovered as the donor.

Ray Kroc died in 1984, leaving his share in McDonald's and the San Diego Padres baseball team to Mrs. Kroc. She sold the team eight years ago.

Mrs. Kroc's gift will be used for a community center that will serve San Diego, Lemon Grove and La Mesa. The center will be named after the Krocs.

Mrs. Kroc says her husband used to dress as Santa Claus each year and ring a bell for the Salvation Army in downtown San Diego.

"Right now, I bet there's a lot of bell ringing going on with Ray leading the chorus," she said after the announcement of the gift.