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Washington State Supreme Court holds memorial service for three former justices
Summary
A special session at the Washington State Supreme Court in May honored Justices Carolyn Reber Dimock, Chief Justice Richard Guy and Charlie Wiggins with remembrances from colleagues, family and former clerks; the governor ordered flags at half‑mast and a reception followed.
On a Wednesday morning in May, the Washington State Supreme Court convened a special session in Olympia to honor three former members of the court: Justice Carolyn Reber Dimock, Chief Justice Richard Guy and Justice Charlie Wiggins.
Chief Justice Deborah Stevens opened the ceremony and outlined the program, calling the event "a special memorial service to honor 3 of our former colleagues." Stevens led a series of remembrances that emphasized each justice's legal contributions and personal mentorship. "She was a leading role model for her own generation and all since," Stevens said of Justice Dimock, noting Dimock's 1981 appointment to the state Supreme Court and her April 1985 appointment to the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington.
The service mixed formal recollections, family remembrances and personal anecdotes that illustrated the justices' impact beyond published opinions. Bradley Scarp, introduced as Justice Dimock's son‑in‑law, summarized three characteristics that he said defined Dimock: an ability to listen, steady support for women who followed, and an "unwavering commitment to right and wrong." "Justice Dimock knew how to listen," Scarp said.
Associate Chief Justice Charles Johnson and former clerks recalled Chief Justice Richard Guy's long legal career and public service. Johnson noted Guy's time as chief justice from 1998 to 2001 and his work improving access to justice, while Mark Hamitomo, a former law clerk, offered a personal vignette: "I to this day swear that he called me from his bathtub," Hamitomo said, a remark intended to capture Guy's directness and approachability.
Justice Cheryl Gordon McLeod and longtime friend Bill McGonigal delivered remembrances for Justice Charlie Wiggins, recounting Wiggins's academic background, appellate practice and tenure on the court after his 2010 election. McLeod highlighted Wiggins's work on major matters that shaped statewide jurisprudence, including referencing the court's involvement with McCleary and national cases such as Caperton (which, McLeod said, raised questions about campaign influence and judicial recusal). "Charlie was a defender of the institution of the court and the judicial branch," McLeod said.
Family members participated in the ceremony: granddaughters Soheela, Ciara and Jessica read a benediction and Dylan Thomas's "Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night," and a musical tribute—bagpipes playing "Amazing Grace"—noted Justice Wiggins's Scottish Presbyterian heritage.
Chief Justice Stevens closed the program by extending condolences to families, thanking speakers and informing the courtroom that, by gubernatorial directive, flags across Washington would fly at half‑mast in honor of the three justices. A reception followed the ceremony. "As we leave this service, we do so holding both gratitude and sorrow together," Reverend Karen Renner said in the benediction.
The bound transcripts of the remarks will be inserted in the court's published volumes and become part of the court record, as Associate Chief Justice Johnson noted during his remarks. The court adjourned following the benediction.
