News Releases
Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - August 27, 2001
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Gov. Locke mourns passing of Sue Crystal, administrator of state Health Care Authority

OLYMPIA – Gov. Locke today expressed his sorrow over the death of Sue Crystal, administrator of the Washington State Health Care Authority and former director of his Executive Policy Office.

She passed away Saturday (Aug. 25) in Olympia after a long and valiant struggle against cancer.

“This is an overwhelming loss both to me personally and to the state of Washington,” said Locke. “Sue Crystal exemplified everything that is noble about public service.”

“Sue was one of the country’s most knowledgeable and respected health care experts and one of my most trusted advisors,” said the governor. “Leaders at the highest levels of government relied on her expertise.”

“Her vitality, compassion and inspiration will be greatly missed,” Locke said.

Crystal served as Locke’s executive policy director, deputy policy director and health policy advisor. She also served as health policy advisor to former Gov. Mike Lowry.

Before moving to the executive branch, she served as policy director for the Democratic Policy Office in the state House of Representatives and legal counsel to the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee.

Crystal served as an aide to Sen. Warren Magnuson, as executive director of the Governor’s Task Force for Higher Education and the Governor’s Regulatory Reform Task Force. She had also been in private law practice and served on the adjunct faculty at Evergreen State College, where she taught graduate studies in management in the Public Administration program.

She held a law degree from the University of Washington and a bachelor’s degree in history/education from Washington University in St. Louis.

Crystal’s memorial services will be held in late September. In lieu of flowers, her family invites donations to cancer research or to the Sue Crystal Memorial Fund at the Nisqually River Basin Land Trust, P.O. Box 1148, Yelm, WA 98597.

Related Links:
- Washington State Health Care Authority


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