Ginger Ackerley passes at 79

Ginger Ackerley passed away earlier today at her home in Seattle, Washington.   She was 79.  Mrs. Ackerley had been battling ovarian cancer for over six years.

“Throughout her life, our mother displayed a personality and perspective that we try to emulate every day.  She was smart and civic-minded  – always willing to give her time, focus, and insight to issues that would make Seattle a special and successful place and a role model for other cities.  She was dynamic and driven.  Her philanthropic efforts across issues and organizations never waivered and always focused on advancing opportunities and access.  And she was tough and courageous.  We saw this first-hand as she battled her illness.   Most of all, she was a wonderful partner to our father, a terrific mother and grandmother, and a friend to many. She did everything with grace and elegance,” said her children Kim, Chris, and Ted.

In addition to supporting the building of The Ackerley Group as Co-Chairwoman, with her husband Barry Ackerley who died in 2011, Mrs. Ackerley’s record of community service and philanthropy both professionally and personally spanned over three decades and impacted communities across America.  Through Ackerley Corporate Giving, the philanthropic arm of The Ackerley Group, the company annually contributed 6% of its annual gross revenues in cash and in-kind services to the communities it served.  Additionally, in 1997, Mrs. Ackerley established The Ginger and Barry Ackerley Foundation which focuses on early childhood education throughout the state of Washington. 

Mrs. Ackerley was the recipient of many awards including:

The winner of several lifetime achievement awards including The Washington Anti Defamation League and The Corporate Council for the Arts.

She is the recipient of the 2005-2006 Dorothy Stimson Bullitt Community Service Award winner for the Junior League of Seattle and the 2017 Mary Maxwell Gates Award.

She was the founder and former Chairwoman of the WNBA Seattle Storm.  Mrs. Ackerley, with her husband Barry owned the Seattle SuperSonics for 18 years. In 2016, she received the Seattle Sports Commission’s Paul G. Allen Award given to an individual who has made a significant or compelling philanthropic contribution.

She was named Junior Achievement/Puget Sound Business Hall of Fame Laureate in 2009 for her outstanding work with Junior Achievement.  And the Ackerley Family was honored with the Washington Policy Center’s 2017 Annual Champion of Freedom Award.

For more information contact:

Steven Gottlieb - steven@gottliebgroupcom.com


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