Nicole LaVIOLETTE

LAVIOLETTE, Nicole
Surrounded by family and close friends filling a double hospital room, Nicole died May 22, 2015 in the arms of her life partner Lisa. The University of Ottawa Law Professor's death was too soon, at age 52, but not sudden, as she outlived her oncologists' prognoses by over 3 years. After her cancer diagnosis, Nicole continued to pursue life to its fullest, and co-wrote two books: a textbook on family law, and another on cycling and the law. She was promoted to Full Professor, taught courses and supervised graduate and undergraduate students. One of Nicole's great passions was world travel and she continued to travel for both work and pleasure, visiting San Diego, Seattle, Lopez Island, Chicago, North Carolina, Hawaii, Syracuse, Vancouver, Wakefield, Montebello, London, Morocco, Geneva, Israel, Jordan, Brussels and Provence. Nicole was an avid sports enthusiast and gathered medals, records and personal bests through three decades of competition in cycling, skiing and swimming. She kept cycling, skiing, snowshoeing, skating and swimming as long as she could, and as it got harder, she kept active by taking up water running. She conducted professional development training and provided expert advice for the UNHCR and IRB on sexual minority refugees. She was a keynote speaker at several international conferences and workshops. Last year, she received the Ordre du Mérite de l'Association des juristes d'expression française de l'Ontario. That same year, Lambda renamed its uOttawa award as the "Nicole LaViolette Friends of Lambda Prize". This year, she received the SOGIC (Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity) Hero Award from the Canadian Bar Association. She was widely respected for her research and public policy contributions to the fields of refugee law, international human rights, and family law.
She leaves a profound imprint in the hearts of her loving family: her father, Norbert; her siblings, Pierre (Anne Louise Mahoney), Christine (Alain Michaud), Denise, Monique (James Maddigan) and Marc (Bianca Thibault); as well as her nieces and nephews: Élaine, Anne-Louise and Philippe Michaud; Lorraine and Kaily Maddigan; Mathieu and Simon LaViolette; and many aunts, uncles and cousins. They continue to cherish her. She was predeceased by her mother, Lorraine in 2011.
Nicole fiercely adored her two dogs. Some of Nicole's ashes will be buried together with her beloved Ginger, and Miscou lives on to take care of Lisa. Nicole will be greatly missed by her partner of 24 years, Lisa Hébert.
In Nicole's name, donations are being accepted to the "Fonds Nicole LaViolette" c/o the Dean's office, Faculty of Law, 57 Louis Pasteur St, University of Ottawa, K1N 6N5. It is a fund to support immigrant and refugee students in the French common law program. Donations before the end of June will be matched by the university.
The Memorial Celebration of Nicole's life will be held at uOttawa on June 15th in Tabaret Hall at 7pm.