(Washington, DC) - The Office of the Tenant Advocate is saddened to hear about the passing of Marilyn Preston Killingham on December 26, 2009. OTA represented Ms. Killingham in her tenant petition filed at OAH regarding conditions at her apartment unit at 1100 Sixth Street, SW.  OTA staff had many opportunities to witness the energy and the indefatigable nature with which Ms. Killingham pursued redress of injustices directed not just towards her, but toward all similarly-situated tenants. A deeply spiritual person, she was undeterred by what many perceive to be the upper hand of entrenched power, whether in landlord/tenant relations or elsewhere.  Instead, her actions were guided by an unyielding moral fortitude.

Despite having to use a wheelchair, Ms. Killingham regularly attended community, stakeholder, and District Council meetings to voice her concerns regarding tenants’ rights in the District. She was co-founder and first president of the Marina View Towers Tenants Association, helped create the Free DC movement, acted as a board member of Stand Up! For Democracy in DC, and was the former President of the Provisional Government of the Republic of New Africa. She also was a member of Delta Sigma Theta sorority.

The home going service for Marilyn Killingham will be Saturday, January 9, 2010.  The wake will be from 10 am to 11 am and the funeral service will begin at 11 am.  Both will be held at Asbury United Methodist Church, located at 926 11th Street NW, Washington, DC  20001.

Burial will be at Riverdale Memorial Gardens.  If you have questions or would like to speak to a family member, please contact Ms. Killingham’s niece, Carolyn "Beth" Mosby-Williams at (317) 418-1821 or by email at [email protected] .  Marilyn Preston Killingham was truly an outstanding leader for District tenants and will be sorely missed by everyone at the OTA.  Our thoughts and prayers are with her family and her many friends at this difficult time.