Free Republic

Edith Macefield died at home, just the way she wanted. The Ballard woman who captured hearts and admirers around the world when she stubbornly turned down $1 million to sell her home to make way for a commercial development died Sunday of pancreatic cancer. She was 86. "I don't want to move. I don't need the money. Money doesn't mean anything," she told the Seattle P-I in October. She continued living in the little old house in the 1400 block of Northwest 46th Street even after concrete walls rose around her, coming within a few feet of her kitchen window....

Cancer claimed her tonight at the tender age of 84. I was scheduled to leave home to drive to be at her bedside when she passed. But I cancelled some appointments and was packing to go when my brother called and said to take my time. The sweet little lady's been my mom for 62 years, so it's hard to see her go, even though it was a peaceful and painless passing for her. But I know she's in a better place now.