As a resident of Lewis County for over 25 years, I care deeply about our community’s future and the importance of meaningful, lasting change within the institutions that serve us. I am writing to share my experiences with Jessica Stickley, whose commitment to compassionate, principled care has profoundly influenced my life and career.
In 2012, I had the opportunity to shadow Jessica for my high school senior project. At the time, I had no idea that experience would shape my entire life. What began as a school assignment became the foundation of my career in mental health care. I went on to spend nearly a decade working under Jessica’s leadership, and those years only reinforced the qualities that first inspired me.
Jessica consistently demonstrated fairness, compassion and an unwavering commitment to person-centered care. She advocated for individuals whose voices were too often overlooked and challenged those around her, regardless of position, to do better, care more deeply and remember the humanity of the people they served. What made the greatest impression on me was not simply what Jessica expected of others, but the example she worked to set herself. She understood that meaningful advocacy requires more than good intentions. It requires integrity, accountability and the willingness to stand up for people, even when it’s difficult. Her influence extended beyond the individuals receiving care. She encouraged the people working alongside her to grow, to question how things could be improved, and to never lose sight of why we entered a helping profession in the first place.
I have carried those lessons with me throughout my own career. When I reflect on the kind of professional I have worked to become, I recognize how much of that foundation was shaped by the example Jessica set.
The work of the Lewis County Coroner’s Office carries significant responsibility. It requires careful judgment, impartiality, professionalism and sensitivity toward individuals and families experiencing some of the most difficult moments of their lives. My experience with Jessica is rooted in mental health care, but it has given me a lasting understanding of the values she brings to her work and the standards she encourages in others.
Fourteen years after that first opportunity to shadow her, I still carry the lessons I learned. To me, that is the lasting impact of someone who leads by example. In my opinion, nobody would be better suited for the 2026 Lewis County coroner position.
Sabrina Eng
Winlock
