Dorothy Gamble Hungar – activist, funny lady, friend and neighbor – passed away recently after a long stay in the Friday Harbor nursing home. We remember her fondly for many things, including strongly held political views – always expressed with a disarming laugh.
Dorothy met her first husband, dentist Wally Sutherland, while a patient in Firland TB Sanatorium. They came to the island in the late ‘40s, eventually settling with their two sons on 20 acres on Nordstrom Lane, long ago nicknamed “Doctors Lane.” The marriage failed, and Dorothy left the island, going to work at Shoreline Library and renting out the home, which she retained. She met George Hungar, who sold his business in Seattle, and they moved back to the island with the intent to farm the acreage. George was a memorable personality, a well-liked ferry deckhand and a grower of good hay.
Dorothy felt strongly that what little agricultural land Orcas had needed protection from rapidly increasing development, and began a campaign to preserve open space and larger lots. At the time, the county had an assessor who adamantly insisted that “highest and best” land use was to make money by any means, so it was a hard fought battle. I always loved Crow Valley long before I had any idea I’d live there, and am grateful for her efforts to preserve the land for farm use and open space.
In 1969 I was interested in buying the home next to hers, and, despite her being ill and hospitalized at the time, she granted me an easement to a well on her property, thus becoming neighbors when she, with George, returned to the island.
We discovered we’d been raised about 30 miles from each other in Minnesota, although her family had moved west when she was about 12. I took pictures of her old home, school and church on one of my visits there, and a couple years later she also revisited her old home town and relatives, glad to find it hadn’t changed much.
Dorothy was intelligent, kind and hospitable, always ready to get involved when a need was known. They were an unforgettable pair, and I miss them both.
Katie Jensen
Orcas Island
