Dini Duclos, former CEO of the Multi-Service Center and a former member of the Federal Way City Council, died Oct. 25. She was 79.
Duclos left an indelible mark on Federal Way and South King County through her work with the Multi-Service Center, an organization she led for 16 years and expanded to help more than 58,000 people a year by the time she retired.
She also served 12 years on the Federal Way City Council and received the Key to the City at the end of her tenure in December 2019. Duclos was also known for her straightforward communication style and her expertise in social services.
“Dini was a crucial force in the revitalization of the MSC into the stellar organization that it is today,” Federal Way Mayor Jim Ferrell posted on Facebook this week. “She also made the City of Federal Way a better place to live and work due to her service on the City Council from 2008-2019, and as Deputy Mayor. She was a great friend, an inspiration, and I will miss her.”
The Multi-Service Center posted on Facebook about how the nonprofit organization was serving just 5,000 people a year and was struggling financially before Duclos took over as CEO and turned it into a major regional charity.
“Dini was a compassionate advocate for our neighbors and our community, and she will be greatly missed. Our thoughts are with her family, friends, and all those that loved her,” according to the post.
After retiring from MSC in 2011, Duclos continued to pursue her passion for scuba diving. She also wrote a pair of novels: “Danger from 50 Feet Below,” about her adventures as a master scuba diver, and “Pele’s Fire,” a science-fiction story set on the big island of Hawaii.
Duclos grew up in Massachusetts and spent time in Connecticut and Illinois, where she worked in child welfare, specifically foster care and adoption. In King County, she played key roles in building housing for veterans and retirees in addition to helping low-income people reach self-sufficiency.
“She was an advocate for people who were struggling in life,” said Linda Purlee, her partner of 46 years. “Dini spent her life serving other people.”
At the end of her life, Duclos struggled with Alzheimer’s disease and died peacefully in her home, Purlee said.
In honor of her passion for scuba diving, Duclos will be cremated and have her ashes formed into a starfish that will be placed on the Neptune Memorial Reef in Key Biscayne, Florida. It was a favorite vacation spot.
“She will rest in the water, surrounded by fish and sealife. She’ll be providing protection and shelter for fish just like she provided protection and shelter for people,” said Purlee. “I’m going to go to the same place when it’s my time. I will be a starfish too.”
