When I moved to Whidbey Island in 1992, my first job was as a composition typesetter for The South Whidbey Record. Although I worked primarily for Jim Larsen, upon occasion I subbed for Ann Adams, my cohort at the Whidbey News-Times. Fred Obee was the WNT editor and Eileen was the Crosswind editor; both of them were consummate professionals who took pride in their respective papers. The appearance of the type on the page, the accuracy of the information, the correct usage of language - no detail was too insignificant to escape their eagle eyes.

I loved working with Eileen and Tony because of the passion they shared for the stories they compiled. I left Sound Publishing while Eileen was still entrenched, but anywhere I ran into her, her infectious zest for life and storytelling simply radiated from her smiling eyes. She had smiling eyes even during her hard times, and she had those aplenty.

After she found a home in the "Still Talking" column, we spoke from time to time when I had a newsworthy piece to share with her, about Island Thrift or the VAQ personnel who volunteer to staff our gates during fairtime. Eileen was always on the lookout for a good story, and Eileen's stories were just that: uplifting, positive and glowing with praise for the special people on this special island and the special things we do for one another.

And in the end, that was her gift to all of us . how special she was.

Thank you, Eileen, for being warmhearted and endlessly kind in a trashy news world that focuses too often on the cynical, the twisted, the mind-numbing morbid bits of humanity. You lived with dignity and grace, and I will miss you.