OLYMPIA — Former Washington Supreme Court Justice Susan Owens, who spent nearly two decades serving Clallam County before joining the state’s highest court, passed away on Friday, March 28, while visiting family in California. She was 75.

Owens built her judicial career in Clallam County, where she served as a district court judge for 19 years. Appointed in 1981 as the first woman on the bench, she was later elected to six terms, earning a reputation for fairness, approachability, and dedication to justice. She was also a champion of rural and tribal courts, serving as a part-time chief judge for both the Quileute and Lower Elwha S’Klallam tribes.

In 2000, she was elected to the Washington Supreme Court, where she became known for her advocacy on domestic violence issues and judicial education. She was the first woman to serve on the Supreme Court until the mandatory retirement age of 75, retiring in December 2024.

Her colleagues remembered her as a warm, witty presence with a passion for storytelling and mentoring. “Susan made a positive difference in people’s lives, on and off the bench,” said Washington Supreme Court Justice Barbara Madsen.

The Washington Supreme Court is planning a memorial in her honor.