Thursday, October 1, 2026
Susie Schaefer, longtime Edmonds resident and environmental/social activist, died on July 25, 2026, as she wished – with peace, dignity, and with friends and dogs at her side as chickadees chirped in the trees. Susie grew up in Palo Alto, California, and spent every summer at the beloved cabin built by her father in the Sierras at Lake Kirkwood.
Susie followed her desire to be of service and earned her Masters of Social Work at UW in 1971. Social work became her lifelong profession and led to her becoming Regional Administrator of the Division of Developmental Disabilities in Everett.
In addition to her career advocating for others, she was very active in environmental and social issues. She was Vice President of Pilchuck Audubon Society and led numerous birding trips and Christmas Bird Counts. She was one of the founding leaders of Puget Sound Birdfest and the Edmonds Wildlife and Native Plant Demonstration Garden that is now named in her honor.
Susie was one of the first people to recognize the importance of protecting and restoring the Edmonds Marsh and was a well-known presence at Edmonds City Council meetings, speaking on behalf of numerous ecological causes. Even her vacations were Earthjustice work excursions overseas for which she gladly paid. On an Earthjustice trip to Vietnam, Susie was the first to spot a rare species of crane after its long absence.
After her retirement from social work, she co-founded the nonprofit Open Doors for Multicultural Families to help them access and navigate services for their disabled children. She continued her dedication to social justice as a member of Women in Black, standing for Peace at the ferry dock every Sunday for many years.
And we must acknowledge her Boxer dogs! Susie adored every one of her seven rescue Boxers, who always accompanied her on trips to the cabin.
Susie made friends with people from all over the world, hosting many of them in her home while they attended college and remained close friends with them over the years.
Susie was a force for nature and social justice – it is impossible to quantify the powerful impact she had on this world and all the inhabitants of it. Anyone who knew Susie was inspired to follow her leadership and integrity to make the world a better place.
All are invited to attend a dedication ceremony for the installation of the sign for the Susie Schaefer Wildlife and Native Plant Demonstration garden to honor her memory, date to be announced later.
To donate or volunteer in her honor, please consider:
Pilchuck Audubon Society - https://www.pilchuckaudubon.org/
Northwest Boxer Rescue - https://www.nwboxerrescue.org
Open Doors for Multicultural Families - https://opendoors.org
