A simple act of kindness allowed police and search and rescue to call off a major hunt planned for a missing woman with dementia Sunday.

At about noon, a woman with early signs of dementia went missing from a Langley senior’s residence, said Cpl. Holly Marks of the Langley RCMP.

By the evening, Fraser Valley Search and Rescue were mustering in the parking lot at the Colossus movie theatre’s parking lot.

But just an hour after police had first called in the volunteer searchers, they received word that the woman was safe and sound.

Earlier in the afternoon, a North Langley woman had spotted the missing senior in the same parking lot. The elderly woman had stumbled, and the passerby went to her aid.

She stayed with the woman and called for an ambulance. The missing woman was taken to Langley Memorial Hospital, and was later re-united with her daughter.

“All too often we hear of instances in which people have ignored others in need,” said Supt. Derek Cooke, head of the Langley RCMP detachment. “Clearly this incident had the potential to lead to tragic consequences and we are very appreciative of the assistance provided.”