FOLLOWUP: West Seattle Junction fire victim – city council president Lorena González’s mother-in-law – has died

(WSB photo, post-fire, from Friday night)

10:49 AM: Last night’s fire in a West Seattle Junction condo building (WSB coverage here) has turned deadly. Last night, City Councilmember Lorena González disclosed the fire broke out in her building – and today, she has announced that the 79-year-old woman who was pulled from the burning unit was her mother-in-law and did not survive. Her statement, received by email:

My family is deeply saddened to share that last night we said goodbye to my 79-year old mother-in-law, Mary Lou Williams, who passed away after sustaining significant injuries from a fire in her condo unit located just two floors above our condo. My husband Cameron and his brother Carlos have lost their beloved mother and my daughter Nadia has lost her Grandma. Our loss is unimaginable. She was a member of the West Seattle Senior Center, where she often taught art classes and sold her own art. Her artistic ability was incredible and we live in a home with her art and memories on every wall.

“Thank you to the Harborview Medical Center nurses, doctors, therapists and other staff for doing everything you could to help our family and allowing us to be at her bedside the entire time. We know our first responders and all the medical staff did everything they could to make her comfortable.

“While our unit was spared, our building is uninhabitable. We are staying with friends while we assess our long term housing plans and assess the physical damage to our home. We are sustained by the outpouring of love and support, and offers of housing and basics from all of you during this devastating time. We appreciate your understanding as we embark on our journey to grieve and celebrate the life and memory of one of our matriarchs, our sweet Mary Lou.”

The statement adds, “Council President González and her family ask for privacy at this time as they grieve the loss of their family member and evaluate damage done at their home.” Last night she said she, her husband, and their daughter were not home when the fire started. SFD is investigating its cause.

11:51 AM: SFD spokesperson David Cuerpo says, “I spoke to our fire investigators and they determined the fire was accidental and likely caused by an electrical failure. “

19 Replies to "FOLLOWUP: West Seattle Junction fire victim - city council president Lorena González's mother-in-law - has died"

  • Barb May 15, 2021 (10:56 am)

    I am sorry for your loss.

  • Kyle May 15, 2021 (11:08 am)

    Wow, sending prayers and thoughts to the family and those involved.

  • Cascadiarocks May 15, 2021 (11:10 am)

    DARN IT. I am so very sad to hear this. My heart goes out to them. <3 

  • Ryan Caple May 15, 2021 (11:47 am)

    So sorry for your loss ❤️

  • Pegasus Books May 15, 2021 (12:30 pm)

    Awful news, we are all sorry for your loss, you will be in our thoughts.

  • Alki resident May 15, 2021 (2:22 pm)

    I’m so sorry. How awful. 

  • Kadoo May 15, 2021 (4:12 pm)

    So sorry to hear this sad news. 🙏🏼

  • Scubafrog May 15, 2021 (5:20 pm)

    That’s so sad.  My condolences to the Gonzalez family. 

  • Katherine McDaniel May 15, 2021 (8:07 pm)

    My deepest condolences to the Williams family and those who knew and loved them.  

  • Andros May 15, 2021 (8:38 pm)

    Condolences 💐. I’m so very sorry to hear this. 

  • Beth May 15, 2021 (9:02 pm)

    Absolutely heartbreaking. :'(  So, so sorry to hear this.

  • West Seattle since 1979 May 15, 2021 (11:31 pm)

    So sorry for your loss.

  • ~Hockeywitch~ May 15, 2021 (11:48 pm)

    I’m so sad to hear that she didn’t make it.  I thought about her a lot today and I didn’t even know her. Fires are so scary.   :'( RIP Ms. Williams. My condolences to her loved ones and her friends.

  • cid May 16, 2021 (8:35 am)

    I’m sorry for the Williams/Gonzalez family for the lost of Mary Lou, and to the occupants of the entire Condo complex for this heartbreaking event that impacted all their lives.

  • Mary May 16, 2021 (2:01 pm)

    This really saddens me, condolences to her family. 

  • Aida May 16, 2021 (8:10 pm)

    Rest In Peace Mary Lou, my prayers to the family

  • Joan & Michael May 17, 2021 (8:52 pm)

    So very saddened to hear of Mary Lou’s death. She is a first rate artist & her linocuts & paintings have graced our home in Tucson for many years. Much love from us to her family.

  • Stephen Romaniello May 19, 2021 (1:30 pm)

    Mary Lou was a dear friend. We worked together in Tucson at Armory Park Design and later at Pima College where she taught design classes. She was a brilliant artist and extraordinary teacher and a fabulous person in all respects. I am extremely saddened by her passing will miss her terribly. My deepest condolences to Lorena, Carlos, and Cameron. 

  • Ann Adachi May 21, 2021 (2:18 pm)

    Mary Lou: I am devastated to hear of your tragic passing & want you to know it was a gift & inspiration to have known you. Deepest condolences to the family on the loss of a your beloved family member ❤️

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