Long time community activist Margaret Ceis has died at the age of 86. She was a founding member of the ArtsWest board and most prominently on the Harborview Medical Center Board of Trustees. She was also involved with ARC Associated Recreation Council of the Seattle Parks Department.

The Ceis family is well known in West Seattle with Jerry Ceis who was a Seafair Pirate for many years and Tim Ceis was Deputy Mayor.

King County Executive Dow Constantine today mourned the passing of Margaret Ceis, a West Seattle activist and former president of the Harborview Medical Center Board of Trustees:

Our community lost a genuine champion with the passing of Margaret Ceis.

A life-long community organizer and political activist, Margaret led the 34th District Democrats, the Alki Community Council and the League of Women Voters, among many other groups. She helped to create and promote the landmark 1989 King County Open Space bond issue, chaired the Seattle Parks Board, co-founded ArtsWest, and co-chaired the Three Projects/One Community campaign in Delridge.

It was Margaret who introduced me to grassroots Democratic politics. Her endorsement was without question the most coveted in West Seattle. In 1996 she was the co-chair of my successful campaign for the State House of Representatives. Without the coaxing and mentorship of Margaret Ceis I might never have sought or been elected to public office, and I will be forever grateful to her.

My condolences to Margaret's family and friends, and to the entire West Seattle community, which she changed time and again for the better.