By Gene Bullock
Kitsap Audubon

Kitsap Audubon is mourning the unexpected death of Fay Linger on Jan. 13.

She has been among Kitsap Audubon’s most influential and admired leaders for the past 15 years. It is a great loss to her Audubon family and friends, as well as to her husband, children, and grandchildren.

Kitsap Audubon has grown and prospered from the tireless efforts of many generations of leaders and volunteers over the last 40 years. Each generation is a family, as well as a hard-working team. It is their day-to-day commitment and caring that keeps the flame alive.

No one individual does it all; but in every generation, a few inspired leaders stand out because they seem to embody the heart and spirit that binds us together. Fay Linger mentored a generation of leaders. She was the sort of leader other leaders turn to for help. We relied on her unflappable patience, her great wisdom and her wonderfully giving nature. We all loved working with her.

Fay served as president of Kitsap Audubon twice (2000-01 and 2005-06), field trip chairwoman (2002-03) and education chairwoman (2006–12). She led or co-led many bird surveys, including Old Mill Park, Clear Creek Trail, Carpenter Creek estuary, and Port Gamble Bay. She was a skilled birder and a popular field trip leader.

She and her husband, Ernie, were involved in many community service projects, including Fish Park in Poulsbo.

In 2004, Fay received Kitsap Audubon’s highest award, the Kingfisher Award, for her years of outstanding service and leadership.

There will be a memorial fund for those who wish to donate to Kitsap Audubon in her memory.