Mother-in-law of Council President M. Lorena González dies from injuries sustained in condo fire

The mother-in-law of Seattle City Council President M. Lorena González died from injuries sustained in a condo fire Friday night, according to a statement released Saturday morning.

The Seattle Fire Department said the fire began at about 6:15 p.m. at a complex at 44th Avenue SW and SW Oregon Street.

Mary Lou Williams, 79, sustained “significant injuries” from a fire in her condo unit two floors above the condo where Gonzalez lives. The statement said she was treated at Harborview Medical Center where she later died from her injuries.

“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,” González said in her statement.

González said the fire began two floors below her condo, leaving it uninhabitable.

González and her family have asked for privacy as they grieve the loss of their family member and evaluate damage from the fire at their home.

Read the full statement below.

“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.”