craigdailypress.com

To the Editor:

Like so many of your readers, we were devastated by the unexpected news of the sudden death of our mother, Georgina McAnally. Returning to our hometown of Craig under these circumstances was bittersweet. That said, so many people eased our pain and aided in our comfort with their kind words, generous opinions, and helpful assistance during the difficult days that followed. While our gratitude abounds for the dozens of people who took the time to share how mom impacted their lives, we want to thank some individuals by name for the extraordinary way they extended themselves to us in our grief. We offer our sincere thanks to:

• The staff of American Northwest Realty. Mom and dad have called you "family" ever since they were blessed enough to gain you as employees. You cried with us and helped us carry the burden of losing this woman we all love and respect. You undertook the large responsibility of hosting her reception to the community and with the grace and style that has become identified with your professional reputation, made it an event that brought smiles to all who attended. You truly honor mom with all you did and all you continue to do.
• The Boys & Girls Club. Thank you for the thoughtful use of your facility for her reception. It brought us much peace to see so many friends and family in the community sharing a pleasant time together.
• The clergy of St. Michael Catholic Church and Calvary Baptist Church. You exemplified Christian charity in your willingness to make mom's memorial unique and God-honoring.
• Grant Mortuary. Owen, you and your staff's unmatched comfort and care are a reflection of your consummate professionalism. We could not have made it through this without you.
• Dave DeRose, Gail Severson, and Mary Beth Pyle. Thank you for the kind, funny, and touching words you each spoke at her memorial. Mom was blessed to count you among friends, and we feel likewise.
• Pam Young, John Allen, Shirley Balleck, Scott McKinney, Jenny LeBlanc, Betty Barnes, and Karen Worth of Craig, and Peter DeWolf of Steamboat. You are the small business owners and managers that mom championed in her years as a real estate broker. Your professional, prompt, courteous service exemplifies the best of what Craig offers through its local merchants and was personally significant to us in ways we can never fully express.
• Finally, thank you to the Craig Daily Press. The manner in which you covered mom's life and memorial made us proud of our local paper. You provided your readers and us with a genuine account of Georgina McAnally, a fine woman who left a lasting impact on Craig and Moffat County.

Bryan and Kelli McAnally

Flower Mound, Texas

Jamie and Lissa McAnally

Rio Rancho, New Mexico