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Justice Laura Liu

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Illinois

* She was an amazing person and will be terribly missed by her family and her many, many friends…

Laura C. Liu was the first Chinese-American judge in Illinois’ history and the first Asian-American to serve on the Illinois Appellate Court but she was less concerned with her own groundbreaking achievements than with the people affected by her rulings, her family and colleagues said.

“Judge Liu loved the law, she loved her family, and she loved serving others through ensuring justice for every resident of Illinois,” Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel said in a statement. “As the first Asian-American justice to serve on the Illinois Appellate Court, Judge Liu broke barriers and blazed new trails of opportunity.”

Liu, 49, died of complications from breast cancer April 15, her family said. A longtime Chicago resident, she had battled cancer for five years.

Born Laura Cha-Yu Liu in Carbondale to parents who were foreign exchange students, Liu grew up in Austintown, Ohio, and started school speaking very little English. She was valedictorian of her high school, her family said.

Justice Liu was famed attorney Mike Kasper’s wife.

* Obituary sent by Kasper…

Laura Liu, in the company of her family, passed away on April 15, 2016, after a courageous five-year battle with breast cancer. A dedicated mother, wife, daughter, sister and friend, she blazed brightly across the firmament and left an indelible impression on all who knew and loved her. On behalf of myself, our darling Sophie and all of Laura’s family, thank you for all that you did to make hers a life full of beauty and grace.

Laura refused to be defined or constrained by her illness. After being diagnosed and while undergoing various treatments, Laura became the first Asian American justice to serve on the Illinois Appellate Court. Also after being diagnosed, Laura become the first Chinese-American elected to public office in Chicago and Cook County, and the first Chinese American woman judge in Illinois history. Fluent in Mandarin Chinese, she chaired the Illinois Supreme Court’s Language Access Committee to ensure the court system was navigable to those whose first language was not English.

To honor her life and memory, the Justice Laura Liu Scholarship Fund has been established at St. Therese Chinese Catholic School for needy children active in community service. Donations may be made at www.StThereseChicago.org or mailed to 247 W. 23rd Street, Chicago, IL 60616.

Services will be held at Fourth Presbyterian Church, on Michigan Avenue at Delaware Place, in Chicago, on Monday, April 25, 2016 at 11:00 a.m

A more complete story of her life is here.

posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Apr 18, 16 @ 9:30 am

Comments

RIP Justice. You were special.

Comment by A guy Monday, Apr 18, 16 @ 9:40 am
I had the pleasure to meet and work near her while she was a circuit court judge. A tremendously smart human with a well-placed heart. Her passing is a true loss for her family, friends, and the State of Illinois.

Comment by Boooooooo Monday, Apr 18, 16 @ 9:43 am
She was an impressive woman. I am saddened for Mr. Kasper, and for their young daughter, to lose her so young.

Comment by titan Monday, Apr 18, 16 @ 9:55 am
Laura was one of the great ones. A wonderful person with a big heart. She was admired by all who knew her. She will be greatly missed.

Comment by so sad Monday, Apr 18, 16 @ 10:05 am
this is so very sad. deepest condolences to Mike and Sophie, and Laura’s parents and her brother and sister, and friends and colleagues. Mike, you are always so strong for other people, those people are here for you now.

Comment by Amalia Monday, Apr 18, 16 @ 10:14 am
I went to High School with Laura in Ohio. I always knew that she would be a successful woman. Deepest condolences to her family.

Comment by Pam Monday, Apr 18, 16 @ 11:52 am
This obituary was beautifully crafted.
If her husband wrote it, it was among his finest written works. A lovely tribute to a lovely person by all accounts.

Comment by Jake From Elwood Monday, Apr 18, 16 @ 12:13 pm
Tragic. Mike, Sophie and her family have my prayers.

Comment by Joe Bidenopolous Monday, Apr 18, 16 @ 12:22 pm
Mike and Laura were a perfect couple. They were both smart, driven and successful but at the end of the day, just genuine and nice as could be. Many people got to know Laura through Mike but once they met her, they got to know her as the quality person she was and not as ‘Mike Kasper’s wife’. I’ve known Mike since law school and never saw him happier than when he was talking about or with Laura. My thoughts and prayers go out to Laura’s family and especially to Mike and Sophie.

Comment by Hon. John Fritchey Monday, Apr 18, 16 @ 12:32 pm
Very sad indeed. Laura was a wonderful person. Condolences to Mike and Sophie.

Comment by Valour Nail Monday, Apr 18, 16 @ 1:33 pm
Condolences to Mike,Sophie,and the family.
“Memories Eternal”

Comment by Islandman Monday, Apr 18, 16 @ 1:58 pm
my thoughts and prayers go out to Mike and his family. such a loss. the grace and courage she showed were mirrored
by mike himself. their daughter has two great role models.

Comment by Matt jones Monday, Apr 18, 16 @ 5:25 pm
My sincere condolences to Mike Kasper, their daughter, and to their family and the many friends of Justice Liu.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Apr 18, 16 @ 6:32 pm
My thoughts and prayers go out to Mike and the rest of the family. I’m so sorry for your loss.

Comment by Boone's is Back Monday, Apr 18, 16 @ 11:12 pm