I would try to arrange to meet her, but she did not live near by, was in the process of moving, and said didn't have money for gas to put in her car. She had gone around to churches asking for gas money. We didn't know each other as long term friends, but I am willing to talk to people regardless of how long I have known them. We were introduced to each other by a mutual friend who told me she needed help, so I was willing to talk to her. I don't think its "wrong" to contact someone that you haven't talked to in a while.

To turn the question around, I'd like to know why she didn't have anyone else she could talk to, except for someone (me) that she considered a total stranger? She was 50 years old and evidently had made no other friends during her lifetime that she could talk to about these problems. If she has issues with people she "doesn't know well", then she should talk to her friends....if she has any. She is the one who initiated contact to begin with - not me. I didn't exactly go looking for this woman. I wish I had never met her.

I will tell people from now on, that unless I've been friends with them for many years, I don't want them coming to me with their problems. Its just not appropriate.