A single-vehicle crash on Vashon’s north end claimed the life of islander Molly Adams last week, and those closest to her say it is not just the people of the island who have suffered a loss, but the island’s animals as well.

Friends and family describe Adams, 33, as a vibrant woman devoted to her family and friends, but above all, they stress her fierce dedication to animals. She followed that dedication both privately and professionally from a young age, caring for her own animals, raising guide dog puppies, volunteering with rescue organizations and working as a veterinary assistant, including for six years at Fair Isle Animal Clinic, a position she held until just recently.

Amy Carey of Vashon Island Pet Protectors (VIPP) considered Adams a friend and rock-solid resource for that organization.

“Molly was an invaluable person, an invaluable talent. This is a huge loss to the community and to VIPP,” she said over the weekend.

Adams grew up on Vashon, and her friends and family say her love of animals was evident from the beginning. Carmen Salazar, Adams’ best friend, recalls that Adams was the only girl who would dig under the grates near the old Burton Elementary School to capture the lizards there, and she would then take them home as pets.

Maggie Sudduth, another lifelong friend, recalled that during those early years when friends played house and vied for roles, Adams would choose to be the family dog. Later, Sudduth added, she and Adams would sometimes entertain themselves by buying cat food and feeding the fish at Fisher Pond.

Adams’ professional work with animals began early as well. At 16, she took a job with Avalon Pet Care, a boarding and day care facility on Vashon, and she remained there for more than 15 years. Owner Laurie Hardtarfer called Adams her “saving grace,” and said she was excellent with both customers and dogs and extremely helpful to Hardtarfer as she expanded her business.

In 2002, Adams became involved with raising guide dog puppies with Eyes of the Future, serving as a project leader and raising 10 puppies.

“She could handle any dog,” said Char Phillips, the head of the organization.

With VIPP, Carey said she would turn to Adams frequently, often with the most difficult cases. She noted that while it may be common these days to call someone an animal whisperer, in Adams’ case, the title is well deserved.

“Molly was truly one of those people who has an unusual connection and capability with animals, especially with dogs,” she said.

Carey recounted how whenever VIPP took custody of a dog that was injured or needed a special touch in some way, Adams was the “go-to” person to foster it.

“She was somebody where there was always room for a little bit more,” Carey added. “I cannot recall a time when she ever said no.”

Carey recounted one incident when VIPP rescued a dog that had been abused and was emaciated and sickly. A young puppy, it weighed less than half of what it should have and had been taken to Fair Isle, where Carey went to meet it. Adams was working that day and assisting.

“I remember standing in the back room with Molly, and the pup was there, and I was struck by this poor creature, and Molly said, ‘I got it,'” Carey recalled.

And she did, Carey said. Adams took the dog home, completed all the necessary documentation for the animal cruelty case and nursed it to health.

“That pup is having a fabulous forever life now,” Carey added.

Many islanders came to know Adams through those efforts, and over the weekend her mother, Deborah Adams, noted how well known she was.

“She had friends of all ages. Every time I went somewhere with Molly, people were saying, ‘Hi, Molly, Hi, Molly,'” she said, adding that it was not just the people her daughter was acquainted with. “She knew every dog and their name and a little — or a lot — of their history.”

Adams was between jobs at the time of the crash, and her mother said she was looking into options, including working at an emergency vet clinic, but intended to remain working with animals.

“That was her life,” she said.

Beyond Adams’ love of animals, friends describe her as a caring woman, quick to listen when a friend needed an ear, quick to suggest an adventure when a heart-to-heart conversation was over and quick to laugh — a laugh many friends say they will always remember.

“You would hear her laugh from across the room, and you would rise with it,” Carey said.

The friends she grew up with say Adams also had a love for the island and its wild places, and they spent most of their time together outdoors, taking walks at the beach and looking for treasures there, where they say Adams had an eye for spotting agates, and at Island Center Forest, when it was less tame than it is now.

“It was always, ‘Let’s meet at the beach. Let’s meet at the trails,'” Sudduth said.

Salazar lives in Bend, Oregon, and was on Vashon for Christmas, where she said she spent a lot of time with Adams, including Christmas night, which they spent with Sudduth at the Eagles, dancing and watching cat videos, talking and laughing.

“We had a beautiful time,” Salazar said recounting their most recent days together. “I know that Molly was incredibly happy last week and moving forward with her life.”

Adams died just before midnight on Dec. 29 when she was driving north on Vashon Highway, missed a curve in the road and hit two trees. Vashon Island Fire & Rescue responded to the call and extinguished a fire that had erupted, but Adams died at the scene from injuries sustained by the impact of the crash, officials say.

Causes that may have contributed to the crash are still under investigation, according to the King County Sheriff’s Office.

In addition to her four cats, two akitas and many friends, immediate survivors include her parents, Deborah and Gary Adams of Vashon, and her sister, Megan Adams Bianchi.

A celebration of Adams’ life will be held this spring on Vashon. Donations in Adams’ memory may be sent to Eyes of the Future/Guide Dogs for the Blind in care of Vashon High School, PO Box 547, Vashon, WA 98070.