Carolyn Dimmick Final PDF.indd - Washington Secretary of State
Carolyn Dimmick Final PDF.indd - Washington Secretary of State
Carolyn Dimmick Final PDF.indd - Washington Secretary of State
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Hughes: When did you meet Barbara? You were really kindred spirits, weren’t you?<br />
<strong>Dimmick</strong>: We were both District Court judges. She was on Mercer Island when I was on the<br />
Northeast District court.<br />
Hughes: So it was 1965-1970; you were in your 30s.<br />
<strong>Dimmick</strong>: Yes, and so was Barbara. Barbara was a little younger than me.<br />
Hughes: That was a singular accomplishment for you two. There were only a handful <strong>of</strong><br />
female judges in that era.<br />
<strong>Dimmick</strong>: We were also on the King<br />
County Superior Court at the same<br />
time.<br />
Hughes: Tell us more about Barbara<br />
Durham. Was she someone that you<br />
Two good friends, Supreme Court Justice <strong>Carolyn</strong> Dimick and King County<br />
Superior Court Judge Barbara Durham at a banquet in 1982. Durham<br />
would succeed <strong>Dimmick</strong> on the high court in 1985.<br />
just knew you liked right from the<br />
beginning?<br />
<strong>Dimmick</strong>: Yes, she was just very, very<br />
bright, and very witty. I’d say, “Look, I’m going to have a party for Betty Howard. Get me<br />
some invitation ideas.” And she’d get it down, “Better come to Betty’s.” Just <strong>of</strong>f the top <strong>of</strong><br />
her head. Very sharp, very quick.<br />
Hughes: What kind <strong>of</strong> a judge was she?<br />
<strong>Dimmick</strong>: We had just about the same philosophy all the way through. She was a good<br />
judge. She paid attention. She worked hard. We used to meet after work with Judge H.<br />
Joseph Coleman, who is now retired. Well, we met with quite a few other judges. The<br />
Superior Court was quite collegial. Four or five <strong>of</strong> us were closer than others.<br />
Hughes: You know I have to say this again: Life is a crapshoot. Here you are alive and well<br />
(at 79) and looking 15 years younger than you are … and Barbara Durham is dead at 60.<br />
<strong>Dimmick</strong>: Fifty-nine. She hadn’t had her 60th birthday.<br />
Hughes: That’s really sad.<br />
<strong>Dimmick</strong>: I know. It was Alzheimer’s. You could see it coming. She could see it coming.<br />
Hughes: So could her colleagues.<br />
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