This was a little "card of thanks" published on the obituary page in the Everett Herald yesterday:

Obituary, Everett Herald, Dec. 25, 2004

Card of Thanks

I would like to take this time to thank everyone for all their kind words, cards, flowers and donations in my father, Floyd Wright's name, after his death on December 2nd. Life will never be the same without him. My special thanks go to all the people in Darrington who, after my mother's death in 1995, watched out for my father. Due to the fact that Darryl, Terry, and myself had long since moved to Everett, Dad became very lonely being by himself. You met him for coffee at the Red Top, you made sure he took his medicine, you invited him into your homes for dinner or drinks, and you made sure he went to see the doctor when he was sick. You all were his true friends.

Thank you. Nowhere else could this have happened except Darrington. He loved that town and would not move to Everett and I understand why. He did not want to leave all the people that meant so much to him. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Nancy (Wright) Measor

Darrington is a tight-knit little town that didn't used to accept outsiders easily (there are stories of violent encounters). With the reengineered highway and better maintenance they're not trapped in their little mountain town each winter, but they're still good at looking out for each other. A friend of mine works as a home-health worker up there, spending a few hours a day looking out for a neighbor. I can easily imagine she or someone like her performing the necessary tasks outlined in the thank-you card.

SRS