Former state representative, animal lover and advocate Sherry Appleton dies at age 80

Friends and colleagues in Kitsap County are mourning the passing of former 23rd District Rep. Sherry Appleton, who died last week at age 80.

Friends of Appleton confirmed to the Kitsap Sun that she had been on a cruise, a favorite activity, when she died last week, though the exact circumstances of her death were not immediately clear as of the publication of this story.

“It’s just such a shock,” said friend and former Kitsap County Commissioner Rob Gelder. “I had plans to have dinner with her in early November, and now she won’t be there. It’s so hard for me to get my mind around that.”

As local elected officials heard the news, some members from the Kitsap’s delegation gathered to remember Appleton at a House Democratic Caucus retreat on Monday, Rep. Tarra Simmons, the current representative for the 23rd District and Appleton's successor, said.

"She was so special to so many people, like thousands of people love her," Simmons said.

A longtime Poulsbo resident, Appleton served in the state House to represent the 23rd District for 16 years, from 2005 to 2021. The 23rd includes Bainbridge Island, Keyport, Kingston, Suquamish, Port Gamble, Silverdale and East Bremerton.

In 1985, Appleton was elected as a Poulsbo city councilmember and served on the City Council for two terms. Before stepping into politics, Appleton worked for 22 years as a field site secretary for Westinghouse Electric Corp., until moving to Poulsbo with her husband, Ron, in 1982, according to Kitsap archives. Ron died in 2006.

An advocate for the most vulnerable

In the 16 years she served in the Legislature, Appleton was known to be an advocate for people in prison, older people, veterans, active-duty military members, tribes and animal welfare.

Appleton chaired the House's Community Development, Housing & Tribal Affairs Committee and Local Government Committee, as well as the Council of State Governments’ Public Safety Committee. She was a member of the Washington Council on Aging, the state’s Commission on Judicial Conduct, the Sentencing Guidelines Commission and chaired the Commission’s Juvenile Sentencing Committee, according to Washington State House Democrats.

Appointed by former Presidents George Bush and Bill Clinton, Appleton served as an advisor to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights. She was also a board member of the Association of Washington Cities and the Northwest Women’s Law Center, according to Washington State House Democrats.

Appleton was remembered as a lifelong mentor to elected officials in Kitsap County.

Kathryn Quade, former Poulsbo city councilmember and mayor and a longtime friend, recalled how Appleton had recruited her to run for office and became a teacher and mentor in her political career. They shared trips and talked about the joys and challenges of life. As Quade assesses their relationship now, Appleton was a rock.

“Nothing will fill the emptiness I feel with her gone,” Quade said. “She was someone I could always count on.”

Simmons ran for Appleton's seat after the representative asked her to when Appleton was thinking about retiring, she said. They shared the same values and Appleton had always been a supporter for Simmons since Appleton was a lobbyist advocating for criminal justice reform over 35 years ago, she said.

"She was just such a loving, supportive person to me," Simmons said. "I really owe my whole life to her and in my life I have today, the work I get to do, I've followed in her footsteps all the way."

"She always stood up for the people that were the most vulnerable, most marginalized communities and that's exactly what I do. And I feel like her spirit will be entangled in mine forever," Simmons said.

Friend Judy Hartstone recalled Appleton's sparkle, gusto in life, positive personality and the force she brought to the issues she cared about.

“She also was a terrier with a bone in Olympia,” she said. “She would fight for her values and her beliefs, and her constituents appreciated that and sent her back to office many times.”

Love for animals as a legislator, an adopter

Drew Hansen, the state's Senator for the 23rd Legislative District and former House Representative since 2011, remembered Appleton's deep passion and commitment for the welfare of animals.

"Appleton absolutely adored animals, both her own animals and other people's animals," he said. "She always wanted to know what my dog was up to and how he was doing and she always had suggestions for ways I could do better with my dog."

This summer, Appleton had coffee with Hanson and other people in the district who are active in politics. Although no longer an elected official, Appleton was still very engaged in the life of the community and the developments in local politics, Hansen said.

Kitsap Humane Socierty (KHS) interim co-Executive Director Jamie Nocula said Appleton had a rich history of supporting the organization, which can date back to her first donation in 1995. Through securing state funding and changing laws, Appleton helped KHS grow expanded its services to the community.

Along with Jen Stonequist, now KHS's another co-executive director, Appleton helped pass State Bill 5004, which allowed nonprofit humane societies to provide veterinary services to households that are low income. The bill led to the construction of KHS's new Russ and Linda Young Veterinary Lifesaving Center. Appleton also helped with the fundraising for KHS's Pet Adoption Center. In October 2020, she started to serve as a KHS Board member.

"Where we are today as an organization largely in part because of her and her passion," Nocula said.

"Sherry will be remembered by her friends at Kitsap Humane Society as always being a positive light in the room, a guiding force for progress, a wonderful friend who gave great hugs, and providing a loving home for her two KHS-alum Rottweilers Buck and Bear and her cat Mr. B," the organization said in a statement remembering Appleton.

Friends recalled Appleton as a fierce advocate on matters like women’s rights and tribal issues, and described her as a strong and principled person, a dear friend and most of all, a lover of animals, including her own Rottweiler rescues. Appleton adopted Rottweilers Bear in 2017 and Buck in 2021 from KHS.

“They loved her, and she loved them,” Hartstone said. “I’d always see her at the counter putting dog food in their bowls and making whatever their special dietary needs were. Just taking care of her animals was a big deal.”

Gelder recalled working together during Appleton’s time in the Legislature on professional items, but beyond that, a personal friendship blossomed, one that grew over a love of friendship and sharing good food.

“I think some of my most special memories are around that,” Gelder said, recalling lamb shanks and cassoulet Appleton made and meal conversations about politics and government. “She loved to cook and loved to share that with others.”

This article originally appeared on Kitsap Sun: Former Poulsbo leader, 23rd District Rep. Sherry Appleton dies