The woman who died at the lighthouse on July 14 last year was my wife, Barbara Lippmann.

Her fall was witnessed by an unknown woman who was standing next to me, who called out, “Call 911. Someone fell down the stairs!”

We are not residents of Vashon, but were there to visit our cabin and to see the low tide.

I have lost the most precious element of my life, and given my age, it appears that my life is finished.

The lightouse steps are dangerous without a handrail. Anyone who would consider allowing entry, let alone old folks and kids, should give second thoughts to doing so.

— Gordon Lippmann