Even now, almost a year after her son's death, Karen Crandell is reminded of how much he was loved.
"People still stop me on the street when I'm walking Gavin's dog. They ask, 'Are you Gavin's mom?' and they tell me what he meant to them," said Crandell.
Monday, a bench was dedicated at Westside Park in memory of Gavin Crandell, 16, who died when he was hit by a train May 16, 2006, at the Prindle Street crossing in Chehalis.
Friends and neighbors of all ages gathered to remember Gavin and to give comfort to Karen Crandell, who has taken the loss of her son very hard, she said. The last year has been rough. In addition to Gavin's death, Karen Crandell also last year lost her father and a very close friend.
"I've had ups and downs," she said candidly. "You never expect to lose your child, but I'm blessed to have the loving support from my friends and community. I wouldn't have made it without them."
What's helped her is knowing how much Gavin meant to the people in Chehalis. There is a shrine for Gavin at the spot on the railroad tracks where he was hit. Karen said she still goes there and finds letters, notes, and gifts intended for her son. She collects them from time to time, and sends them to Gavin's father in San Diego, Calif.
"I don't open the letters or read them," she was careful to note. "Those are for Gavin."
Neighbor Mary Lou Sterner said she misses seeing Gavin walking his black pug, Pugsly, day after day.
"He was always walking that dog, always with his headphones on," she said. "He loved animals, and that was his routine."
Susan Gonzales was Gavin's math and science teacher at Chehalis Middle School. She is working with Karen Crandell to establish a scholarship fund at W.F. West High School in Gavin's name.
"He was wonderful, really friendly and outgoing," she said. "He had a huge, big smile. It was the best smile. I really miss him a lot."
The memorial bench at Westside Park was made possible by Cindy Tahl, of Smith's Mercantile, who started collecting donations at her store last year. She raised about $200.
"We live around the corner, and he used to walk by our house every day," Tahl said. "I just felt it was a tragic way for someone to die, and there should be a memorial for him. I wanted people to read the plaque and remember him."
Gavin and his friends often gathered at Westside Park. In fact, Gavin and his best friend Zack Butcher, who lives across the street from the park, once stole one of the park garbage cans, said Karen Crandell. They later returned it when city officials came knocking at Butcher's door.
Such stories, she said, remind her how much fun Gavin was.
"I never knew he had so many people who care about him," she said. "He was such a social butterfly. A lot of people knew him and loved him."
Amanda Haines covers municipal government and health for The Chronicle. She may be reached at 807-8245, or by e-mail at ahaines@chronline.com.
