It’s with great sadness we announce the passing of Judie Dunken, a very special person and friend for so many, and who was so deeply committed to the Pearl District. Her accomplished career as a residential real estate broker, where she reached the platinum level in selling condos and homes, led to her receiving many awards and appreciation for those she so ably served.
Judie was an outstanding volunteer who left her mark on the Pearl. A long-time board member of the Pearl District Neighborhood Association (PDNA), Judie chaired PDNA’s Livability and Safety Committee for many years and helped found the PDNA’s Affordable Housing Committee to help improve the lives of those living in Home Forward and other affordable housing units in the neighborhood. From serving on Clean Teams, to business support activities, and community improvements, Judie was always on the front lines doing what she asked others to do. She lived by the motto, “if it’s to be, it’s up to me!”
As a founding board member of the Northwest Community Conservancy (NWCC), Judie worked tirelessly to make the Pearl safer and more livable. She helped build NWCC with the whole community’s best interests at heart, and I am honored to carry that vision forward.
We’ve gathered a few reflections from those who knew her well, along with some of Judie’s own thoughts on giving back and on the Pearl she loved. We will miss her positive spirit, her roll-up-your-sleeves approach, and her fierce commitment to this community.
Please join us in holding Judie’s family and friends in your thoughts. Her legacy lives on in every clean street, every connection she made, and every volunteer she inspired. We will share details about any remembrances for Judie, along with any wishes from her family, as they become available.
With gratitude and sadness,
Chase
What would Judie do?
“Judie was one of those rare people you could ask to lead, knowing she would step up and get things both organized and done. She was a very special friend whom I will miss greatly. In the Pearl, when a situation needed handling, people often asked, “What would Judie do?”
— Ken Thrasher, NWCC Board Chair
Doing What Needs to be Done
“Judie was a remarkable person who gave so much of herself to the community she so dearly loved. Judie was always there to do whatever needed to be done to benefit others. I will miss her deeply, as will everyone who knew her.”
— Stan Penkin, longtime PDNA Board Chair and incoming NWCC Chair
Friend - Mentor - Inspirational
“Today we all lost an angel to the Pearl. For me personally, I have lost a great friend, mentor and inspirational human who shared with me so much. I loved working with her in PDNA and NWCC. There are no words that can express the tremendous loss so many of us are feeling. The Pearl will not be the same without her here. Thank you Judie for your enduring support and care for all who knew you!”
— Miriam Counts, PDNA Treasurer and NWCC member
Building Community for All
“My goal is basically always the same: building community for the good of all, building relationships. When you are participating, it is an opportunity to learn more about the individuals you are working next to. Relationships deepen, and overcoming obstacles like keeping your neighborhood and city clean is rewarding, especially when you share those rewards with your co-volunteers.”
Love of the Pearl District
“I fell in love with the Pearl the first time I discovered it in 1996. I loved the low-key vibe. No one really knew about it then, and I felt it was my own little secret. As the Pearl has grown and changed, I have grown with it. The Pearl has been good to me, as I have specialized in condo resales, and it is a good livelihood for me. I felt it was time to give back, and I rolled up my sleeves and haven’t looked back.”
In May 2021, NWCC members at The Pearl District Portfolio/Around the Pearl sat down with Judie for an interview. Discover more about who she was and her passion for the Pearl here.
