New Hampshire woman’s father dies in hospice care [in fire evacuation zone] when California fires broke out

01/16/25 at 03:00 AM

New Hampshire woman’s father dies in hospice care [in fire evacuation zone] when California fires broke out 
CBS News WBZ, Boston, MA / YouTube; 1/15/25 
Just two hours before the fire evacuation--Merle Fetter--Barbara's husband of 64 years died in Royal Oaks Hospice Care, with Barbara holding his hand until the end . … As the fire moved through Altadena towards Monrovia Barbara was forced to leave Merrill's body, unable to be evacuated. ... [Daughter in New Hampshire:]  “I didn't know where my mother was. I didn't know what happened to my father's body.” Barbara's daughter—Joy—thousands thousands of miles away in New Hampshire couldn't fly to Los Angeles until Friday. When she finally landed she received a reassuring call from Royal Oaks her mom was OK and her father's remains taken to the coroner's office. Staff feel like residents here are their family.

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