GIG HARBOR — Eleanor Stopps, whose efforts turned Protection Island into a national wildlife refuge, has been diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer and is living out her remaining days in a Gig Harbor care facility, according to a source close to the family.
“It’s happening fast,” said Robin Ornelas, a longtime friend.
“It could only be a few days.”
Stopps, 92, received the cancer diagnosis about three months ago, at which time it had spread beyond where it could be treated effectively, Ornelas said.
Stopps told family that she wanted to die in her Mats Mats Bay home, but that became impossible when the pain became too great, Ornelas said.
Stopps has been in and out of the hospital and is being cared for by one of her daughters, her friend said.
Stopps was a housewife and mother who testified before both the state Legislature and Congress, and persuaded Congress through tireless letter-writing and lobbying over a decade to grant Protection Island national wildlife refuge status in 1982.
She was responsible for the establishment of the Protection Island National Wildlife Refuge, which was the only refuge created during the Reagan administration.
The island near the mouth of Discovery Bay in the Strait of Juan de Fuca is home to more than 75 percent of the seabirds that nest in the state, excluding the Pacific coast, and contains one of the last two nesting colonies of tufted puffins in the Puget Sound area.
It continues to be closed to the public to prevent disturbing its enormous bird habitat and wildlife, due to Stopps’ efforts.
Stopps, who founded Admiralty Audubon,was given a Hood Canal Environmental Achievement Award in 2003.
Since 2005, the Port Townsend Marine Science Center has annually given a award in her name: the Eleanor Stopps Environmental Leadership Award.
Stopps has moved out of her home but has decorated her new room with the honorary plaques and certificates she has gathered through the years, Ornelas said.
Ornelas, who spoke to Stopps’ daughter Tuesday, said Stopps is mentally alert but in a lot of pain.
“I know she would like to hear from people, but she can’t always come to the phone, so I’d suggest writing her a letter,” Ornelas said.
Letters can be sent to Stopps at Harbor Place at Cottesmore, 1016 29th St. N.W., No. 20, Gig Harbor, WA 98335.
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Jefferson County Reporter Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at charlie.bermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
