Heidi Susan LEVENSON POLOWIN

LEVENSON POLOWIN, The Honourable Madam Justice Heidi Susan
The exemplary life of Madam Justice Heidi Susan Levenson Polowin came to an end on May 5, 2016. She died with remarkable grace, dignity, and courage. She leaves an adoring, devoted husband who loved her unconditionally and unendingly. Steve and Heidi were still madly in love after almost 43 years of marriage. An equal partnership, they travelled the world together, celebrated each other's professional achievements, and contributed measurably to the betterment of their community. The love Heidi and Steve shared was equalled only by the love they gave to and received from their children, Jordana and Daniel. For Heidi, her family came first. When Jordana married, her husband (Ari Lesser) became a son to Heidi. All three brought her so much joy. Every chance she got, she told her children how proud she was of them and how much she loved them. And then there are the grandchildren! You only had to say the names Aviva and Nathan and Heidi's eyes brightened and her smile lit up the room. She loved them so much, and Bubby's inspiration and memory will follow them throughout their lives. Heidi got her strength and character from her late parents, Phil and Shirley Levenson of Montreal, where Heidi was born and raised, and from her late brother, Rabbi Michael Levenson. Heidi was a devoted daughter and sister. She will be missed by cousins, nieces, and nephews on all sides. Heidi met Steve in the summer of 1971, when she was 17, at Camp B'nai Brith of Ottawa. It was love at first sight. Following their summer romance, Heidi returned to Montreal, where she attended McGill University, and Steve to Toronto and Osgoode Hall, where he completed his law degree. They married on June 17, 1973, 19 days after Heidi's 19th birthday. Steve and Heidi set up house in Ottawa and Heidi entered law school. Heidi was a sister-in-law to Jeff and Angie Polowin and Michael and Melanie Polowin, but their relationship with Heidi was far more than that: to them, she was more like a sister and a dear friend. She will be deeply missed by all four. Heidi also leaves behind lifelong friends, and there were many of them. Heidi was a fiercely loyal friend. And then there are the legion of friends and colleagues who had the honour and pleasure of working with Heidi over the years, from Canada Post, from Ogilvy Renault, from The Children's Aid Society of Ottawa and, finally, from the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, where she was appointed to the bench in 2000. Heidi's work on the bench was held in high regard by those who appeared before her. Her sound, thoughtful decisions and incredible conflict-resolution skills will be missed on the Court. She leaves a strong legacy, particularly in the area of child protection. There is no question that Heidi lived a full and honourable life. Throughout her entire life, Heidi was a generous person, both in friendships and in charity. In lieu of flowers, if you wish to honour that generosity, Heidi would want you to donate to the Levenson-Polowin Fund supporting local breast cancer care and clinical trials at the Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation, 1500 Alta Vista Dr., Ottawa, ON K1G3Y9, or online at www.ottawacancer.ca. Donations will go a long way toward helping the work of oncologists like Dr. Shail Verma and Dr. Catherine Lochrin, who provided care beyond the call of duty to Heidi right to the end. Funeral Service was held at the Jewish Memorial Chapel, 1771 Cuba Avenue, on Sunday, May 8, 2016 at 1 p.m. Interment at the Jewish Memorial Gardens, 2692 Bank Street, Ottawa. Shiva will be held at 1893 Highland Terrace Monday through Thursday from 2 - 4 and 7 - 9 p.m. and Friday from 2 - 4 p.m.
Condolences / Tributes / Donations
Hulse, Playfair & McGarry
www.hpmcgarry.ca
613-233-1143