On a chilly January day, as she was taking her usual afternoon walk through the Edmonds Memorial Cemetery, Ann Louise Maynard noticed something out of place. The night before, someone had removed flowers from many of the grave sites. She also noticed that a box of vases was missing.

Over the past couple of years, Maynard, a history major in college and an Edmonds resident for 20 years, has become intrigued by the town’s history. She walks though the cemetery four to five times per week and often stops to look at headstones. She has been reading about the pioneers of Edmonds and has developed a sense of familiarity with them. When she saw what happened, she discussed the matter with Cliff Edwards, the Cemetery Sexton, and subsequently went to the Edmonds QFC nearby and purchased 50 vases. QFC graciously ordered them at cost for her.”Its something that anyone would do,” Maynard said. “People use those vases to leave flowers out of respect and to honor their loved ones. It would be a shame if that couldn’t happen. I’m glad to do something for our community and the cemetery.”

Many people walk through the cemetery and visit family and friends on a daily basis. Now, thanks to Ann Louise Maynard, we can again witness the vases in use throughout the grounds. The Edmonds Memorial Cemetery Board wishes to express its sincere thanks for her heartfelt generosity.

— Written by Lisa Palmatier, Edmonds Memorial Cemetery board member