United by tragedy, 10 or so volunteers pitched in their time and energy Saturday (Nov. 24) to help prepare a site for a memorial for Margaret Ryan, the White Center Blog Writer/Sales Rep who was murdered last week (read more here).
The memorial site is on the corner of 16th and Roxbury, in front of TT’s Soul Kitchen, and plans are for a nice big boulder with a plaque commemorating Margaret, with this quote from her writing:
“Compassion is needed all around.
With compassion comes the ability to love.
Love is the antithesis of narcissism.”
Here’s a mockup of the plaque:
Volunteers (at least that we saw Saturday) included:
- Vera Johnson, of Village Green Perennial Nursery
- Risa Waldoks, from Boston and interning with Vera
- Rowan Curtin, Vera’s son
- Kathi “george” Wheeler of Noise Without Sound
- Lea Engle of Neat Street
- Kate Barlow
- Sibyl Mar, Margaret’s daughter
- Remy Mar, Margaret’s 4-1/2 month old granddaughter
- Scott Mar, Sibyl’s husband
Soil was donated by E-Green, and plants by Village Green Perennial Nursery.
Eduardo Brambila of Mago Signs is donating the plaque.
Aileen Sison helped with organizing.
Plans are to unveil the memorial at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 1, just before the 5 p.m. Holiday Tree Lighting ceremony at Veteran’s Triangle across the street. Word is that Margaret’s son Patrick Lamb, and possibly others, will speak.
If you’d like to donate to the cause, or have any questions about the memorial, please contact Vera at vjvillagegreen7@gmail.com or (206) 767-7735.
Scott Schaefer dropped by and took these photos – click images to see larger versions:
-
- Lea Engle, left, helps Scott Mar unload soil donated by E-Green from a truck.
-
- The plaque will be on a boulder located on the southeast corner of 16th and Roxbury in White Center.
-
- Vera Johnson works on soil as Kathi ‘george’ Wheeler helps.
-
- Closeup of the site where Margaret’s memorial will be placed.
-
- Lea Engle and Kathi “george” Wheeler unload soil as Vera Johnson torches the site.
-
- “Working with fire is fun,” Vera told us.
-
- Kathi “george” Wheeler and Lea Engle prep the second garden bed.
-
- Scott Mar, left, and Kathi “george” Wheeler unload soil from a truck.
-
- Sibyl Mar, left, and Rowan Curtin, work on soil.
-
- Sibyl Mar, with Margaret’s 4-1/2 month old granddaugher Remy in a sling, works the soil.
-
- United by a tragedy that touched them all in one way or another, volunteers worked together Saturday.
Though it was a rare occasion in which I had the opportunity to speak with my Aunt Peggy over the past 20 years, I will always remember the hospitality and quirkiness she would share at family gatherings. I cannot express how truly appreciative I am for the generosity and attention given by the White Center in her memory and to her immediate family.
Thank you all.
I wholeheartedly agree with the above comments and would like to add my own message of appreciation to all those who volunteered their time, energy, goods and services to make such a fitting and touching memorial to my Aunt Peggy, also known as Margaret Ryan. I will be sure to visit this site when I return to Seattle to visit my friends and family in 2013.
Thank you again for all your support at this difficult time. Your efforts will not be forgotten!
E-green also ended up giving and delivering our big rock for the plaque. And Kate and her husband donated some money for some extra soil. Thanks for the great friendships and bonds we formed yesterday. See you all next Saturday at the dedication.
I’m so proud of our little community. I know Margaret was also. I’m so glad to see people take a break from their busy lives and gather together to do something in honor of someone who was important to us and our neighborhood.