Homeless Remembrance Project

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Homeless Remembrance Project

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The Homeless Remembrance Project is a homeless-led, community building movement nurturing connections among people—homeless and housed, living and dead.

Aspects of our Project/Mission:

Women in Black: Silent vigils to honor and remember homeless people who have died outside or by violence n King County, bearing witness to the crisis of homelessness. Leaves of Remembrance: Artistic bronze Leaves, installed in sidewalks, bearing the names of those who have endured homelessness who have died. We share their stories at www.fallenleaves.org. The Tree of Life: A beautiful bronze sculpture in Victor Steinbrueck Park, with space for community gathering, hope, and healing, designed to recognize that we are one people, homeless and housed, together.

10/09/2026

WHEEL/Women in Black will stand vigil on the steps of City Hall (4th/James) from NOON to 1 PM next Wednesday, October 14th for SIXTEEN homeless people who died unsheltered, in public or by violence in September. We’ll honor and remember:

**Gregory Wolfe, 64, died by fentanyl/meth-involved OD at Celebration Park in Federal Way on 9/2
**Shawna Rush, 50, died by fentanyl-involved OD at a bus shelter at 3rd Ave. and James St. on 9/3
**Qwanyae Skinner, 23, died by fentanyl/meth-involved OD on a sidewalk at 80 S. Main St. on 9/5
**Brandon Isler, 42, found at 8th/Bell; died at HMC of anoxic encephalopathy/combo OD on 9/5
**Vinny Buttafuoco, 41, hit by car(s) and killed at 36300 bl Pac Hwy S. in Federal Way on 9/6
**Michael Sowards, 21, shot to death in parking lot at The Commons in Federal Way on 9/10
**Mackenzie Clarke, 37, died under overpass at 1st S/Highland Pkwy SW on 9/13, cause pending
**Theresa Ngirailild, 55, died by fentanyl/meth-involved OD outdoors on Naden Ave. S. Kent on 9/14
**Ahmed Ahmed, 30, died by fentanyl-involved OD at an encampment at 7th/Airport Way S. on 9/18
**Jason Debow, 58, died from cardiovascular disease outdoors at 400 bl Jefferson St. on 9/18
**Edras Cruz-Montoya, 36, died by fentanyl/meth-involved OD at Delridge SW/Orchard St. on 9/18
**Wesley Bishop, 61, died by cocaine/meth-involved OD in bushes on S. Estelle St. on 9/19
**Terry Couveau, 56, died by fentanyl/meth-involved OD in tent in Boulevard Park on 9/20
**Paul Bergin, 33, died by fentanyl/meth-involved OD at a tent at 6th S/S Nevada St. on 9/20
**William Davis, 56, died from hemorrhage/meth-involved OD on SW 244th St. on Vashon on 9/22
**Markus Allen, 39, died by fentanyl/meth-involved OD under I-5 overpass on E. Garfield St. on 9/27

This vigil will be dedicated to the memory of a 16-year-old homeless youth who died by su***de last month.

This past Wednesday Women in Black attended the King County Medical Examiners Office Indigent Burial Ceremony, where 626 people who died without means or family were respectfully interred. It was a sobering and somber witness, for a record-and-heartbreaking number of people. Good Seattle Times reportage with powerful photos here: https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/homeless/king-county-memorial-sets-grim-record-unclaimed-remains-of-626-buried/

At the ceremony, King County Executive Girmay Zahilay choked up as he referred to the injustices and divisions that are behind the shocking rise in the number of people we remembered that day. He said policy discussions were for another day, but that we must confront these issues.

WHEEL/Women in Black witness these injustices and divisions every time we stand vigil and do our work of remembrance and shelter. That’s why from our founding, our vigil leaflets lead with this Call to Action: “We must be a community, homeless and housed, together.”

In that spirit, PLEASE join us as WHEEL honors and celebrates 25 years of providing unique, community-organized shelter for more than 100 women every day/night. From 4-6 PM Sunday, October 25th WHEEL, our shelter host Trinity Episcopal Parish, and the First Hill Improvement Association are sponsoring a very special Anniversary Celebration at Trinity's Parish Hall (609--8th Ave)! This free, family-friendly event--with fabulous food!--will celebrate the 25th Anniversary of WHEEL providing women's shelter, and our 10th Anniversary at Trinity Parish. Fun! Free parking!

We REALLY hope you join us, and would appreciate your RSVPing so we know you’re coming. Our Eventbrite link to RSVP and/or make a gift to WHEEL is here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/celebrate-wheels-10th-anniversary-at-trinity-tickets-2001782386003 Let’s defy the divisions and continue building the Beloved Community together!

10/08/2026

Our last Leaves of Remembrance Dedication of the season--at Central Library yesterday--was a beautiful witness. Rev Pat Simpson began: "There’s a verse in the Christian scriptures that says 'Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that, some have entertained angels without knowing it.' The spirit of welcoming strangers--from all circumstances and all walks of life--is evident every day in the loving, community-spirited work of our Seattle Public Library staff. We value our libraries beyond measure and are so glad and grateful to be in partnership with them for Leaves of Remembrance (and MANY other things)!

10/05/2026

REMINDER: Our last Leaves of Remembrance Dedication of the season will be at 10:30 AM this very Wednesday 10/7 at the 5th/Madison entrance of Central Library. Join us! We’ve now laid more than 600 bronze Leaves in sidewalks all over the City, and our Project remains unique in the whole world in providing a permanent public memorial for people who’ve experienced homelessness. Much more information here: www.fallenleaves.org After the Dedication that day, at 1 PM, we’ll be attending the King County Medical Examiners Indigent Burial Ceremony at Mt Olivet Cemetery in Renton. More info, and a list of the 625(!) people remembered at this respectful, public, multi-denominational service, here: https://kingcounty.gov/en/dept/dph/health-safety/medical-examiner/indigent-remains-program

WHEEL--the homeless-led group which organizes the Homeless Remembrance Project--has long held this quote from labor Organizer Mother Jones as a touchstone: “Pray for the dead, and fight like hell for the living.” One of the ways we fight for the living is operating loving, low-barrier women’s shelters in three locations on First Hill. We started these efforts in 2001 with a Severe Weather Women’s Shelter at the invitation of the City of Seattle. We now shelter more than 110 women each day/night in our three locations, and have grown into the largest women’s shelter provider in Seattle!

WHEEL, our shelter host Trinity Episcopal Parish, and the First Hill Improvement Association 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 fabulous food!--will celebrate the 25th Anniversary of WHEEL providing women's shelter, and our 10th Anniversary at Trinity. Free parking! Fun! Eventbrite link to RSVP, including ways to make a gift to WHEEL, here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/celebrate-wheels-10th-anniversary-at-trinity-tickets-2001782386003 Please join us, and thank you for being part of our Beloved Community!

09/23/2026

What a beautiful and community-spirited Dedication of Leaves we had at DESC Hobson Place/Hobson HMC Clinic this past Monday! More than 40 of us gathered to honor five beloved people with bronze Leaves of Remembrance. MANY memories were shared by those who knew them, and it seems most had musical spirits--Joe Bayana played marimba, and Zanza Prescott was a lovely gospel singer.

We've always felt a special kinship to DESC for their loving, come-as-you-are approach. This was movingly evident at the Dedication, as it is every day in their work. We thank Hobson Place Program Manager Drew Duplantis, Hobson Clinic staffer Cricket McCleary, and nearby neighborhood faith leaders Darla DeFrance (Columbia City Church of Hope) and Summer Diegel (Vally and Mountain Fellowship) for leading the blessings!

The Homeless Remembrance Project's final Dedication of the season will be at 10:30 AM Wednesday, October 7th at the 5th/Madison entry of Central Library. JOIN US!

09/16/2026

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!

09/15/2026

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!

09/11/2026

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!

09/01/2026

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.

08/26/2026

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!

08/21/2026

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.

Address

PO Box 2548
Seattle, WA
98111

Telephone

+12069560334

Website

http://www.fallenleaves.org/, http://www.homelessremembrance.org/

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