Homeless Remembrance Project

At noon today, on the steps of City Hall, a dozen of us stood a Women in Black vigil for 15 beloved people. We remember them! Next up for the Homeless Remembrance Project is Dedication of five new Leaves of Remembrance at Hobson Place (1911—22nd S) at 2 PM next Monday (9/21). This event is in partnership with DESC and Health Care for the Homeless/HMC. PLEASE JOIN US!

With a beautiful ritual well-presided by Pr Britt Olson of St. Luke's Episcopal Parish, the Homeless Remembrance Project blessed and dedicated three new Leaves at Ballard Library on Sunday. We had a wonderful turnout, with many people sharing memories of beloved and iconic Ballardites Mark Morin, John Frielot, and Zero Sirofinsky. In her service Dismissal, Pr Britt asked us to "go out and love sacrificially." When asked at the aftergathering about this thought-provoking admonition, Pr Britt said that the truth--and justice--live where love and support are given unconditionally, even when it's a struggle to do so. That's certainly been our experience over many long years in the homeless community and with the Homeless Remembrance Project! We deeply thank Pr Britt, our loving library staff, and all our supporters!

Women in Black will stand vigil on the steps of City Hall (4th/James) from NOON to 1 PM next Wednesday, September 16th for FIFTEEN homeless people who died unsheltered, in public or by violence. We’ll honor and remember:

**Jessica Duncan, b. 1988, found stabbed to death in Tukwila backyard in May; date of death unknown
**Dumbe Gobina, 41, died of heart disease outdoors near SE 240th/102nd Ave SE (Kent) on 7/22
**Erich Joseph Johnson, 37, died at Green Lake Park on 8/1; cause pending
**Sarah Price, 39, died by su***de (train) in Kent on 8/2
**Charissa Prickett, 45, died by cocaine/fentanyl OD in a Maynard Ave alley on 8/7
**Jason Lee Ross, 46, died by fentanyl OD in a Kent parking lot on 8/7
**Jimmie Gertson, 72, found in Skookumchuck River, died at HMC of hypothermia on 8/9
**Wendie Lee Fenn, 41, died outdoors on S. Michigan St on 8/15; cause pending
**John Darby Stuart, 56, died in Gasworks Park on 8/16; cause pending
**Robert Seaton, 53, died of natural causes in vehicle at 9730 3rd Ave NE on 8/20
**Kwot Anyuon, 54, died at I-5/Marion express lane on 8/20; cause pending
**Jason Taitano, 45, died by fentanyl/meth OD in the woods in Federal Way on 8/20
**Nabyu Ayele, 25, died by combo OD at a Bell St bus stop on 8/25
**Caroline Phillips, 69, died outdoors in Kent on 8/30; cause pending
**Ian Scarlett, 54, died by fentanyl OD in a Honeybucket in Federal Way on 8/31

WITHOUT SHELTER, PEOPLE DIE! AT LEAST 146 PEOPLE ALREADY THIS YEAR, AND 271 IN 2025. PLEASE JOIN US IN CALLING FOR SHELTER FOR ALL!

Also, please join the Homeless Remembrance Project as we lay more Leaves of Remembrance! Our project—the Tree of Life in Victor Steinbrueck Park & more than 600 Leaves of Remembrance all over the City--is unique in the whole world in creating a permanent public memorial for people who’ve experienced homelessness. You’re invited to these upcoming Dedications:

**At NOON this very Sunday 9/13 at the Ballard Library (5614—22nd NW)--in partnership with St Luke’s Episcopal Parish--we’ll be dedicating new Leaves for Mark Morin, Anatoly “Zero” Sirofinsky, and John Frielot.

**At 2 PM Monday 9/21 at Hobson Place (1911—22nd S)—in partnership with DESC and Healthcare for the Homeless/HMC—we’ll be dedicating new Leaves for Joe Hlupheka Bayana, John Stamey, Zanza Prescott, Kara Laughlin, and Dominic Sweet, in partnership with Health Care for the Homeless/HMC.

**At 10:30 AM Wednesday 10/7 at Central Library (5th/Madison entrance)--in conjunction with the Library’s very special Coffee and Conversation program--we’ll be Dedicating new Leaves for Matthew “Happy” Walker, Michael McCann, and Michael Dalton.

Much more information is available at www.fallenleaves.org

You’re also invited to two other Events:

**Our King County Medical Examiners Office partners have scheduled another Indigent Burial ceremony, this time interring a record-breaking 625 sets of remains of folks who died without family or means. This very respectful, multi-denominational public service will be at 1 PM Wednesday, October 7th at Mt Olivet Cemetery in Renton. More information, and a List of Names, is here: https://kingcounty.gov/so-so/dept/dph/health-safety/medical-examiner/indigent-remains-program

**WHEEL and Trinity Episcopal Parish are sponsoring an Anniversary Celebration 4-6 PM Sunday, October 25th at Trinity's Parish Hall (609--8th Ave)! This free, family-friendly event--with food!--will celebrate the 25th Anniversary of WHEEL providing women's shelter and 10th Anniversary at Trinity. More information will be circulated soon, including an Eventbrite registration link. This will be a low-pressure fundraiser for WHEEL! www.wheelforwomen.org

Thanks much for your solidarity, partnership and witness!

One of the current Leaves of Remembrance at Ballard Library honors George William Allen, and it's our September Featured Leaf. From his obituary we learned:

"William had a joyful, warm-hearted spirit and infectious sense of humor. He was always ready for fun and shared a broad smile with all he met. His party specialty was making balloon animals, which endeared him to his daughter, nieces and nephews....William always loved animals, especially the family dogs. He also enjoyed music, dancing and drawing.

Sadly, at a young age, William fell into the disease of addiction, which ultimately took his life. Despite his disease, William continued to express his great love for his family and friends."

We'll be dedicating three new Leaves of Remembrance at the Ballard Library at noon Sunday, September 13th, adding them to George William Allen's and those of many others we've honored there over the years. We would be happy to have you join us.

Next up for the Homeless Remembrance Project is Dedication of three new Leaves of Remembrance at Ballard Library at noon Sunday, September 13th. These Leaves are for Anatoly "Zero" Sirofinsky, John Freilot, and Mark Morin--all beloved and iconic people of Ballard. As always, this event will be powerfully presided by Rev. Britt Olson of St. Luke's Episcopal Parish, with reception to follow. Please join us!

On the heels of our difficult Women in Black vigil on Wednesday, our spirits were lifted by an amazing and beautiful Dedication of four Leaves of Remembrance at the South Park branch library! It really was one of the most special Leaf events we've ever done. Everything about this Dedication breathed solidarity, community and care: the participation of ordinary book-toting library patrons, delicious local snacks, neighbors and friends who'd known the people whose Leaves we were laying and spoke loving memories, and healing activities facilitated by our comrades at Sacred Passing. We're profoundly grateful for Seattle Public Libraries (and all our heroic library staff!), for Sacred Passing, and for the South Park neighborhood for so clearly bearing out the Beloved Community.

It was an uneasy Women in Black vigil yesterday even though we had a great turnout. At the opening circle we reflected on the hurtful, hateful and victim-blaming remarks on our vigil notice post that've caused us to close comments here, for now. During the vigil, a passerby came into the group, glowering and taking close-up photos of participants. Later he kicked over a vase of flowers brought by friends of one of the women for whom we stood. He left without incident, but this seemed to be a sign of these troubled times.

During the closing circle the pastor tried to speak of "the spirit of solidarity." Clearly shaken by events of the day, she misspoke it to be "the spirit of hostility." We call on all who visit this page and join our remembrance efforts instead to embody the spirit of hospitality. As we said on our very first Women in Black vigil leaflet 26 years ago, "We resolve to be a community, homeless and housed, together." May it be so.

WHEEL/Women in Black will stand vigil on the steps of City Hall (4th/James) from NOON to 1 PM NEXT Wednesday, August 19th for SEVENTEEN homeless people who died unsheltered or in public in July. We’ll honor and remember:

**Larry Hobson, 66, died of thermal burns at HMC on 7/2; found at Wasilla Campground
**Joseph Bailey, 58, died by meth/fentanyl/cocaine-involved OD outside on S. Weller St. on 7/3
**Roy Smalley, 63, died from heart disease at St. Columba's Episcopal Church (Kent) on 7/5
**Mark Silva, 46, died by meth/fentanyl-involved OD on sidewalk on Maynard Ave S. on 7/5
**Liliana Mellor, 36, found in Uptown parking garage; died at HMC from anoxic encephalopathy & meth/fentanyl-involved OD on 7/6
**Michael Olney, 34, died by fentanyl/benzodiazepine-involved OD under Ballard Bridge on 7/7
**Randall Sligar, 47, died by combo OD on sidewalk on Battery St. on 7/10
**Tye Parris, 31, died behind a warehouse on Occidental Ave. S. on 7/12; cause pending
**Nathan Calvin, 54, died by meth/fentanyl-involved OD at gas station on Fauntleroy SW on 7/13
**Ruben Espinoza, 40, died by meth/fentanyl-involved OD in park on 21st St. SE in Auburn on 7/14
**Gabriel Adame, 45, died outside the Auburn Library on 7/22; cause pending
**Rachel Rehaume, 38, died on railroad tracks near 74th/Willis St. in Kent on 7/22; cause pending
**D'Juana Willie, 37, died by meth/fentanyl-involved OD on Pac Hwy S. in Tukwila on 7/27
**Janine Cross, 51, died of blunt force injury at HMC on 7/28; found at SR 509/1st Ave S on 7/28
**Samuel Russell, 27, died by fentanyl-involved OD in alley at Aurora/N. 103rd St. on 7/31

WITHOUT SHELTER, PEOPLE DIE! AT LEAST 134 PEOPLE ALREADY THIS YEAR, AND 271 IN 2025. PLEASE JOIN US IN CALLING FOR SHELTER FOR ALL!

Also, please join the Homeless Remembrance Project as we dedicate more Leaves of Remembrance!:

**At 5:30 PM WED 8/19—the same day as our Women in Black Vigil!—we’ll be laying new Leaves at South Park Branch Library (8604—8th S). This is a new host location, in partnership with SPL! We’re dedicating Leaves for Alexander James Saulina, Francisco Diaz-Prieto, Andrea After Buffalo, and Sophit Chuon.

**At NOON SUN 9/13 at Ballard Branch Library 5614—22nd NW, we’ll be dedicating new Leaves in partnership with St Luke’s Episcopal Parish, for Mark Morin, Anatoly “Zero” Sirofinsky, and John Frielot.

Dedications later in September are being scheduled at Central Library and Hobson Place. JOIN US!

The Homeless Remembrance Project was touched and grateful when we arrived at All Pilgrims Church on Broadway yesterday to discover Pauline, the Transit Fairy, was already there. She'd arrived early to clean the sidewalks, making sure they were pristine and beautiful for our Dedication of three new Leaves of Remembrance! This Dedication and blessing--during and after the All Pilgrims worship service--was a powerful witness. We thank All Pilgrims for hosting, Pr Greg Turk for presiding, and all who joined us.

Next up is Dedication of four Leaves at the South Park Library (8604—8th S) at 5:30 PM next Wednesday 8/19. This is a unique and new partnership with Seattle Public Libraries. All are welcome to join us!

**Note: There was an engraving error on the All Pilgrims Leaf for Brent Morgan Wood that we're correcting ASAP. We'll be going back to All Pilgrims to have the corrected Leaf blessed and laid very soon, and we regret the error.

Tomorrow, during/after the 10:35 AM Service at All Pilgrims Church (Broadway/E. Republican) we're blessing and laying down three new Leaves of Remembrance, for Lindsey Dawson, Brent Wood, and Elizabeth "Mama Sara" Magyar. All are welcome to join us!