Groundswell NW and Lillian's family invite her friends, colleagues and former neighbors to a Celebration of Life at Webster Park, 3025 NW 58th St., 2-4pm Sunday, September 28.
Webster Park and Groundswell NW were Lillian's creations, born from her recognition in the late 1980s that neighborhood kids had no public place to play, other than the former Webster School's old blacktop "playground" which then served as an underused parking lot for the Nordic Heritage Museum, then housed in the closed school. Spurred by a proposal to sell the historic school and it's grounds for private development, Lillian doggedly fought initial opposition from the school district, museum and others, building neighborhood and political support to create a park in part of the site, which became Seattle Parks' first pesticide free park, and was named Seattle's best park in its early years.
But Lillian didn't stop there. Seeing a need for parks and open space in the broader neighborhood, she founded Groundswell NW as a 501c3 non-profit, serving to support the creating and improvement of numerous neighborhood parks, community gardens, natural areas, trails and other public open spaces. Her efforts have been recognized as a Groundswell NW Local Hero and as a Denny Award recipient by Seattle Parks and Recreation.
Please join us in celebrating Lillian's legacy where it all began. Restrooms and ADA parking will be available at the adjacent Licton Springs (formerly Webster) School, and its covered outdoor play area and/or gym will be used in case of inclement weather. Volunteers will be welcome to help prepare the park for the event from 9-10 that morning, and to help set up at 1:30. If you plan to attend, please RSVP to this invitation. Lillian's obituary is below.
Lillian RILEY 1930 - 2025 Lillian Riley, 95, beloved wife, mother, grandmother and community leader, passed away peacefully on August 27, 2025. She is survived by her husband of 69 years, 4 children, 6 grandchildren, and 5 great grandchildren.
Lillian's keen curiosity and love of nature developed at an early age on San Juan Island, where she was born to immigrant parents at the outset of the Great Depression. The island's beaches, fields and forests were her childhood playground. After graduating from Friday Harbor High School, she earned a biology degree from Western Washington University.
She went on to teach school in Skagit County and Seattle before marrying and raising her own children. As a young mother, she honed her leadership and community organizing skills, serving as President of the Webster Elementary PTA, as well as the Seattle League of Women Voters and leading several Seattle School Levy campaigns.
Lillian is best known for spearheading the creation of new parks in Northwest Seattle. In 1989, she founded Groundswell Northwest, a non-profit dedicated to keeping public lands in public hands, creating parks and fostering environmental stewardship. In this capacity, she led the creation of Webster Park, an award-winning park featuring a children's play area, basketball courts, beautiful landscaping, eclectic art, and a really cool sundial.
She recognized the need for open space throughout Ballard, and was instrumental in creating seven new parks and natural areas, including Ballard Corners Park and several pocket parks and community P-patches. In 2009, Seattle Parks & Recreation officially recognized her lifetime achievements, conferring on her its Denny Award.
After Lillian retired from the board, Groundswell Northwest went on to help create 12 more public open spaces and improve several other parks in Northwest Seattle and counting.
A celebration of Lillian's life will take place on Sunday, September 28 at 2:00 PM at Webster Park, 3025 NW 68th St., Seattle. All are welcome. Remembrances can be made to Groundswell Northwest.