Trailblazer Creates Legacy to Save Species

Lillian Hagener Bell was a trailblazer in many ways. From her beginnings in Silverdale,Washington, as part of the first set of twins born in that region, to her decision to enter the Marine Corps in the 1950s, Lillian was a leader right from the start.

After years of working as a telephone operator with her twin sister, Lila, she decided that she wanted to strike out on her own and experience the world. Lillian went on to become one of the first five females to attend drill instructor training, achieved the esteemed ranking of Lieutenant Colonel and served on numerous military trials throughout her distinguished 36-year career in the Marines. Sunshine Voss, Lillian's granddaughter, also recalls her penchant for learning. She was highly educated, with a bachelor's degree in history and a master's degree in education.

While Lillian was a strong and determined woman, she also had a playful side."She really liked sports cars and driving fast," Sunshine remembers."She would change into a muumuu made by her sister after wearing her military uniform all day, put on her flip flops and literally let her hair down!"

Along with her love of learning (and fast cars!), Lillian had an exceptional attachment to animals. From her work on the farm as a young girl, to her own house cats, to the bears at the zoo, Lillian always appreciated the wonder and magic that animals brought to the world.

Sunshine recalls many trips to Woodland Park Zoo where she said family and friends would continually come away having learned something from Lillian about conservation.

"She had an awareness about the importance of the preservation of our wild animals, and she passed that on to whoever she was with," Sunshine says."My grandmother was a smart, gracious and loving person. She felt that it was our responsibility to provide for wild animals and make others conscious of animals that are in danger of becoming extinct."

Thank you, Sunshine, for sharing your memories of your wonderful grandmother, and thank you Lillian for remembering the zoo so generously in your estate plans.Your legacy gift will help Woodland Park Zoo create a social movement to save species for future generations.

Like Lillian, you can recognize the work we do at Woodland Park Zoo by including us in your will or other estate plans. Contact Alex Kerl at 206.548.2437 or alex.kerl@zoo.org to learn how you can make an impact with a future gift.