MARYSVILLE — On Dec. 19, a contributor to the Marysville community and its food bank was memorialized for her work.

A park bench, a dogwood tree and a plaque outside the Marysville Community Food Bank were dedicated to Lillie Lein, who died July 9, 2007, after 15 years of service to the city of Marysville, as well as a number of years active in support of the food bank, Operation Marysville Community Christmas and other charitable causes throughout the community.

“Lillie was an outstanding volunteer,” city of Marysville Public Information Officer Doug Buell said. “She inspired by doing. She championed many causes that she believed were in the best interest of the community and she pursued them with vigor. Her deeds and accomplishments will live after her. As a community, we owe Lillie Lein a great debt and our deepest gratitude. Her contributions to keep Marysville a place where we would all want to spend our lives will be remembered and appreciated for generations to come. We will think of Lillie often and miss her greatly.”

Buell cited Lein’s commitment to, and concern with, the Marysville community and its future, which included her succession of jobs for the city. Starting as a secretary in the executive department, she was promoted to confidential secretary to the city administrator in 1995, a position which was expanded in 1998 to support the city administrator and mayor in serving citizens. In 2001, she was promoted to confidential secretary and deputy city clerk and, in 2003, she earned her Certified Municipal Clerks designation from the International Institute of Municipal Clerks.

Outside of the city, Lein was active in her church and as a Campfire leader, Sunday school teacher, PTA officer, Marysville Little League coordinator and secretary for the Marysville Community Food Bank. She was also an active participant in the American Cancer Society Relay for Life, and served for several years with the annual United Way of Snohomish County fundraising campaign.

“Through the Marysville Community Food Bank and Operation Marysville Community Christmas holiday food basket program and toy drive, she has left her greatest mark on our community,” Buell said. “Thanks to her leadership and endless energy, thousands of families and individuals in need have had a full meal at Thanksgiving and Christmas, and toys to celebrate the holidays as a family.”

Lein was a recipient of a Paul Harris Fellow Award, presented by the Marysville Rotary Club for her work with the food bank. The Marysville Kiwanis Club presented her with their first “Everyday Heroes” award last year, to recognize a community member that excels in giving back to their community and does it without a lot of fanfare.