Edith Macefield has passed away

Ballard’s most famous hold-out, Edith Macefield passed away on Sunday of natural causes, according to the medical examiner’s office. My Ballard has received a few emails in the last couple of weeks saying that ambulances have been seen coming and going from her home. She was 86 years old.

Edith lived in the same house on NW 46th St. for the last 56 years. She made national news in 2006 when she refused to sell her home for $1 million to developers. Construction crews then proceeded to build the development around her. “I went through World War II, the noise doesn’t bother me,” Macefield told the Seattle PI. “I liked the old Ballard. The new one — you can have it.” Edith’s refusal drew many supporters, especially Ballard residents worried about the changes new development is bringing to the neighborhood. “I will always think of the true Ballard spirit when I see this lady’s house,” wrote Heidi on My Ballard earlier this year. “She is Ballard,” wrote another supporter. Edith, we never met you, but you will be missed.

Macefield has no known surviving family, so we’ll have to wait and see what will happen next with her property and house.

Update: The local media is now on the story. We drove by Edith’s house at 5 p.m. and discovered TV crews from KIRO and KOMO out front. A newspaper photographer with a ladder was trying to get the best shots of the house. Take a look at the Seattle PI’s story and Seattle Times’ story.