Why is Libby Cemetery unkempt?

I will just say how disappointed I am with the City of Libby, particularly those that are in charge of the Libby Cemetery. When my dad passed a few years ago, we purchased his and mom’s plots at the same time, specifically in the shade of a large pine tree. You could see the mountains still capped with snow, and it was close to Flower Creek. You could hear the water rushing by. No plots were to be placed past dad’s grave towards the water or shed standing near. It was very peaceful, tranquil, and helped quell the sorrow, each time we visited his grave.

Mom called last week, crying. When asked why, she sent pictures of the current condition of the cemetery around dad’s grave. The shed is torn down, the pine tree is gone and the ground was just a mess. No grass planted, just a huge swath of ground that looks like it is just a dried mud puddle. The ground where the tree had been is an uneven area of weeds and earth. It doesn’t look like any attempt had been made to smooth it. Instead of the peaceful corner spot for our dad’s resting place, kind of away from everything, in a nice shaded area, his place will now be in the center of other graves.

I can understand if the shed was deteriorating and the tree was a hazard, but I get the feeling that the tree and the shed were taken down to make room for additional plots. A promise from the city, broken.

So many families took the time to come visit their loved one’s grave sites. Flowers, banners, and tall grass and dirt. Why hasn’t the cemetery been kept up? Is funding limited? Is there no one to do the maintenance? Has the employees been sick? Has the weather been so bad that the grounds couldn’t be kept up?

I am just curious on these things, as the next time I visit my dad’s grave, it will all be different. A small thing, in the big scheme of life, like a mom crying, but both very important to me.

—Anthony Wilkes

Monroe, WA