Judi Klein: October 15, 1966 – April 21, 2008
It is with great sadness and regret that I am writing about the untimely death of our colleague and friend, Judi Klein. Judi passed away of ovarian cancer in Miami, Florida, on April 21, 2008, surrounded with love and support by her parents Marshall and Sheila Klein, and her sister Amy and brother-in-law Jeff. Also mourning Judi’s loss are her cherished niece and nephew, Brooke and Seth, whom she adored. Judi was only 41 years old. A service and cremation will take place on April 26, 2008.
Judi was born and raised in Staten Island, New York. When she was 15 years of age, the Klein family moved to Toronto. Judi then attended high school at Forest Hill Collegiate, following which she did her undergraduate degree in psychology at York University. In 1989, Judi entered law school at Osgoode Hall, graduating in 1992 and getting called to the bar in 1994. She then remained in private practice until approximately two years ago, when, due to her declining health, she had to stop practising.
While in law school, Judi did a co-op term at Parkdale Legal Services. This endeavour whetted her appetite for working with the poor, the disenfranchised, the vulnerable and those to whom access to justice would otherwise have been unavailable. After graduating from law school, Judi then articled at the Public Guardian and Trustee, which further cemented her commitment to social justice issues. Immediately after being called to the bar, Judi opened her own practice, initially sharing space with a colleague, Vanessa D’Souza. Judi and Vanessa decided to go into association and until 1999, practised together as Klein, D’Souza.
After Judi and Vanessa parted professionally, Judi resumed sole practice for a number of years. In that capacity, she worked closely with women’s shelters. She represented parents in domestic and child welfare cases. She was a regular duty counsel and advice counsel in our Toronto courts. She was a panel member of the Office of the Children’s Lawyer, where she represented children in child welfare cases. She taught part-time at Humber College. As if this was not time-consuming enough, Judi also embraced volunteerism. Judi volunteered with the Rexdale Information Centre, the Rexdale Women’s Centre, Rexdale Community Legal Services (where she was a board member) and the Family Lawyers Association. She also took the time to submit her thoughts to Legal Aid Ontario and to involve herself in respect of tariff restructuring and the adoption and maintenance of professional standards.
Judi was an extraordinarily kind, compassionate and gentle soul, unfailingly polite and delightfully witty. Judi was also a woman of uncompromising ethics, both morally and professionally. She brought these personal qualities not only to her friendships but also to her clients. Judi capably and patiently represented many of the most marginalized individuals in the family law system, including women who had been victims of domestic violence, persons with mental health issues, parents who had experienced the apprehension of their children, same sex partners and children themselves. In Judi, her clients were represented by an advocate who was accessible, prepared, reasonable, persuasive and, when necessary, zealous. Judi was a lawyer admired, respected, consulted by and emulated by many of her colleagues in the Toronto family law bar. She was also highly valued and regarded by the Toronto bench.
It is such a tragedy to lose a friend and colleague who was in the prime of their life and of their career. Judi was of course devastated to learn that she had ovarian cancer. However, she fought that terrible disease tenaciously, submitting to all manner of invasive procedures and surgeries with courage, dignity, hope and faith. Judi was supported during her valiant struggle by loving family and loyal friends from every walk of life. In the fall of 2006, when it appeared that the cancer may have passed into a healthier state of remission, Judi returned to work as an occasional duty counsel, confidently assisting clients in court, even though it was obvious to many of us that her health had been severely compromised. True though that turned out to be, it was also very inspirational to watch Judi bravely carrying on with her chosen vocation despite her obvious fragility. She was simply unwilling to accept, until very near the end, that she would not recover.
Judi was my friend for many years. I already missed her when she moved back down to Florida last winter but of course that does not compare to now having lost her. I know that so many others share in this sadness and loss. I cannot believe that we will no longer hear that Brooklyn accent, see that crazy crop of red hair, share a laugh or a war story or a martini. Judi’s life presence made a genuine, positive difference in this world and it is forever diminished by her passing. Her legacy of caring will not be forgotten.
The Klein family would be grateful for charitable donations in Judi’s name to be made to the Canadian Cancer Society. Donations can be made on-line by going to the celebratealife website and then following the links.
Paula McGirr |