A message from the McKee family

To the Madison Park Community,

We would like to acknowledge the incredible outpouring of love, support, flowers and cards that have been sent by the Madison Park community in honor of Scott McKee.

We all loved Scott dearly, and will miss his presence in our lives, at the store and in the community. His charm, wit and humor can never be replaced.

Thank you all for coming together to create such a beautiful memorial for Scott.

Lola, Kay, Jeri, Jane and Family

Scott McKee (1951-2009)

Scott McKee's many many friends and relatives turned out en masse yesterday afternoon at McGilvra's to pay their respects and show their support for the McKee family following Scott's untimely death on December 27. Scott's cousin, Kirk McKee, estimates the turnout at between 400 and 500 people, with McGilvra's totally packed and the line of well-wishers waiting to gain admission stretching all the way down the block to Cactus.
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It was an extraordinary testimonial to Scott's unique position in our community. He was an all-around good guy who was very much appreciated for his humor and helpfulness. The online guest book (from which this photo was taken) already contains 12 pages of condolences and memories of Scott, with the words funny, classy, wonderful, gentle, smart, good-natured, and appreciated being the most-used descriptors. It was typical of Scott both that he did not want people to know of his illness and that he worked at the store all the way through December 23rd.

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Kirk reports that Scott's mother, Lola, who had suffered a heart attack soon after Scott's death, is doing well and that Madison Park Hardware will reopen on schedule, January 11.

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["Lifetime Madison Park resident" Will Loman has a nice piece on his blog about Scott's wake, available here.]

[Postscript: More than 400 people read the posting on this blog about Scott's death last week, making it the most-read story on Madison Park Blogger during 2009.]

A sad end to a really bad year

I am very sorry to report the death of Madison Park Hardware's Scott McKee, who was reportedly struck down this weekend after a brief battle with cancer. Scott's mother, Lola, has been hospitalized, I understand, but her condition is not thought to be life threatening.

Scott has been a neighborhood mainstay and go-to guy for as long as many Madison Parkers can remember. As the sign in the window says, he will be missed. Our hearts go out to Lola and Scott's sister, Cookie, at this sad time.

UPDATE: The Seattle Times carries Scott's obituary in the December 30 edition, available online here. Scott's family suggests donations in his name to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (530 Dexter Avenue N., Seattle, 98109).