Dear Mr. and Mrs. Newhouse,

I was shocked and saddened to hear of Theresa's death. Theresa was a remarkable young woman.

I taught Theresa constitutional law and had considerable additional contact with her as I also participated in the Humanities 101 course Theresa was instrumental in making happen.

My first real conversation with Theresa was on a trip over to Vancouver on the ferry early in the academic year. She and I ended up sitting next to each other on the ferry bus. It was during our conversation that I learned of the Humanities 101 course and, when I expressed interest in participating as an instructor, Theresa was quick to involve me.

Theresa immediately impressed me as a person of great integrity and with a strong commitment to and sense of justice. Her history of involvement in important equity issues at the University is admirable. As a constitutional law student, Theresa was one of my top students, not simply because of her brightness and quick intelligence, but also because of her ability to see and care about the larger issues of fairness and justice at stake. I had a real soft spot for Theresa and always welcomed and listened carefully to her comments and assessments of issues in class. I remember particularly one instance when, after a class in which I had used a sample factual problem, Theresa approached me to express her concern about the use of the problem in a certain medical situation. I was impressed by both Theresa's analysis and the manner in which she raised her concerns. I also appreciated the effort she was willing to make to address what she thought was a problematic construction of a problem, despite the fact that the class was over and had moved on from the area the problem involved. I subsequently made a note to myself to remodel the problem, because of Theresa's comments, for future years. Theresa was a real contributor to the various communities to which she belonged, the law school included. She carried her principles and sense of political justice into all of her activities and was willing to take on considerable extra work in their observance. She was an impressive person and I had real respect for her.

I wish I could be in Victoria to go to Theresa's memorial service. I am currently in Vancouver on parental leave and am unable to attend. But please know that my thoughts are with you. I feel great sorrow about Theresa's death. Selfishly, I would have liked to have continued to have her as a student and would have continued to value her involvement with our community. She would have been one of those students I would have wanted to keep in touch with after law school. The law school has indeed lost an important member. I also send to both of you deep sympathy for your loss. You must be so proud of Theresa. She was a wonderful person, as I imagine you must both also be to have raised such a daughter. I am sure that the notes and stories coming in from people who knew Theresa attest strongly to the deep attachment and regard many have for her.

I have thought a lot about Theresa in the last two days since I received the news about her. I remember her well and will continue to remember her as one of those people I was lucky to come across in my life.

Sincerely,

Margot Young