Comments on: Seattle’s Edith Macefield becomes example of property rights – in China, after a death

By: JOANN

JOANN — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 22:41:09 +0000

Mrs. Macefield had cancer and knew it. She just wanted to stay in her own house, where she had lived for decades. The worth of staying where she was, with her familiar things was invaluable to her. Those people who just harp on the “value” of the property don’t understand her values – they’re just focused on the almighty dollar.

The workmen on the project became very fond of her. As I understand it, the foreman on the project took her to medical appointments. They became close friends, which is why she probably bequeathed the property to him. Years before this building project the house was surrounded by a commercial yard with garbage trucks. I used to see Mrs. Macefield out with a broom sweeping her sidewalk. It always impressed me that she cared about maintaining her own standards; she didn’t care what other people did.

By: David

David — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 22:14:12 +0000

The value of the home was far greater than $1M to Edith Macefield. Seeing how she passed away a year later, what would she have done with the money? She bequeathed her home to the project manager. She leaves behind a legacy of free will that is not cheapened by the compromise of cash. Similar to the house of spite, we will have this house as a memorial that she stood up to the machine of development.

By: leanne finlay

leanne finlay — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 19:53:58 +0000

That property is most certainly “not practically worthless”.

By: Paul

Paul — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 09:06:06 +0000

Sad? How so? She didn’t want to move and she didn’t. She left to
the house to one of the workmen on the project and last unheard it was going to used as some museum.

As the old saw has it, a cynic knows the price of everything and the value of nothing. The old dear didn’t care about the money.

The real story is the two views of property rights.

By: Brad Lee

Brad Lee — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 19:36:46 +0000

She didn’t sell at the top of the market when she could have and instead she was being promoted as a folk hero, she died, and now the property is practically worthless today. Who would want to live there? Certainly none of the people there were encouraging her to hold out! Pretty sad really.