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Judith McKelvey-Shaw Obituary
1935 - 2014
Judy McKelvey-Shaw of Greenbrae, California died on August 10 after an extended illness. The loss to her husband, stepchildren, sisters, nieces and nephews, and to a large number of beloved friends and colleagues is incalculable.Judy was born and brought up in Wauwatosa, WI. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin and subsequently from their Law School in 1959. As a newly minted attorney, Judy moved to Washington, DC to work for the FCC.
After several years of FCC work, and marriage to Stuart McKelvey, they moved to San Francisco in 1968. During her study for the California Bar, she began teaching at Golden Gate University School of Law and remained there through 2000. Judy became Dean of the Law School in 1974 and served in that capacity through 1981. Judy was only the second woman in the US to become dean of an ABA accredited law school. She was an outstanding role model for women in the professions and actively recruited female candidates as law students and law faculty.
During Dean Judy's tenure, the percentage of women entering law school rose dramatically, a new Law Library was built, and GGU achieved national status, including AALS accreditation. During this time, Judy also helped form California Women Lawyers in 1974 and became its president in 1975-1976. As a peer stated, "No one did more to advance women, either in legal education or in the practice of law, than Judy McKelvey." After stepping down from the deanship, she continued teaching until her retirement in 2000.
Judy is survived by her long time partner and husband, Dr. Robert Shaw, by his four children, Jennifer, Stephanie, Johanna and Robert, Jr., and their families, by two sisters, Jaye Stedman and Joyce Zimmerman, and by several nieces and nephews.
Judy and Bob shared extraordinary adventures, including travel, theatre, art, ballet, and excellent food and wine. They experienced a love of life together, with intellectual and artistic curiosity at the forefront.
For those lucky enough to have had Judy in their lives, that enrichment will never be forgotten.
A memorial celebration will be held at a later date.
Contributions in Judy's memory may be made to Golden Gate University School of Law Judith McKelvey Scholarship Fund or to KQED, both in San Francisco, California.
R.I.P. Darling Judy
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Judith McKelvey-Shaw
Jeff Glick
March 19, 2024
I bookmarked and saved Judy's obit and memoriam some time ago, and have just now revisited it. I think it's time for me to finally add my own little bit of homage and thanks. Judy was one of the kindest and most enjoyable instructors I'd ever had, anywhere (Property, c. 1988). Later on, she was especially kind and helpful when I needed a reference. I was sad when I learned of her death, and I remain so. Thank you, Judy.
-JD Glick, JD (retired)
(Jeff Glick)
Milwaukee
(I don't have any pics of me and Judy, but here's one from our graduation: Professor Myron Moskovitz, me, and beloved friend and classmate Rick Friedling.)
Anthony Bastone
August 16, 2022
Wonderful person and colleague - I served as head of the Office of Career Services at GGU Law vintage 1986 - 1993
anthony L Bastone
August 16, 2021
Wonderful Dean, Colleague and good human being! I served as the Director of Career Services at GGU Law from 1986 - 1993.
Steven Brabant
August 16, 2019
Judith was a fabulous teacher and I will never forget her presence. I finished law school before she became dean and I know her selection to be dean of the law school was an inspired choice and a "gutsy" one "back in the day. She had a gift for teaching and inspiring others and enough cannot be said of her inspiration to women who were interested in the law. A special light is now burning brightly somewhere else.
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Arlene Kostant
October 5, 2014
Judy was an extraordinary role model to me and so many of us during the 70s and beyond. What an amazing combination of intelligence, dynamism and grace. My deepest condolences to her family and dear friends.
October 1, 2014
A wonderful person and scholar!
Anthony L. Bastone II - Director Career Services GGU Law - 1986 -1993
[email protected]
Ruth Gipstein
September 25, 2014
It was my good fortune to have applied to Golden Gate University School of Law when Judith McKelvey was the dean. She opened options never before available to women like me, and will be remembered as a force for change.
September 25, 2014
I worked with Dean and students in 1977 to keep tuition reasonable. Also, I met with her before being accepted at Golden Gate Law School and believe she was a big reason I was accepted into the University. A great person on many levels. George McLemore
Carroll Smith
September 25, 2014
I will never forget my Real Property class when I first met Judy McKelvey. What a wonderful teacher and person! I miss her friendly greetings whenever our paths have crossed. RIP. Carroll Smith GGU Law '88
"Halal"
September 9, 2014
Thinking of Judy McKelvey always brings up warm memories in my heart and a smile to my face. She was a joy to learn from.
Graduate of 1992
June McGinnis
September 7, 2014
I was blessed to have Prof. McKelvey for Family Law in 1992 and a friend thereafter. She was very special indeed. Always available, encouraging and warm. And a terrific teacher. She was dearly loved; a rare thing for a law professor. She had faith in me and her encouragement truly helped me to graduate and to pass the bar as well. My sincere condolences to her family.
Mary-Lou Williams
September 5, 2014
I was lucky enough to have a conversation with her at a function early in law school, and I remember that she made me feel relaxed and glad that I had decided to be a lawyer.
Mohamed Nasralla
September 3, 2014
I was one of the fortunate and privileged law students at GGU to have taken a class from Judy in 1985. Those who know her will remember her as one of the best professors and Law School Dean at GGU. Her loss is indeed incalculable. Rest in Peace Judy and my condolences to the family and the GGU community.
Mohamed Nasralla, San Francisco, CA
August 28, 2014
Besides her intellect, command of the law, etc there was something about her that demonstrated kindness and a special "spirit" in the way she handled her clasees;rare for a law professor "back in the day". I have never fogotten her as a teacher and as a model for a way of treating people beyond "the law". A very special light has left us and is shining brightly elsewhere.
Peace for her family and her friends,
Steven Brabant
Class of 1972
Antonia Darling
August 28, 2014
Judy was such an amazing woman. She will be so missed. Judy was the perfect role model for women law students and attorneys. The rise in women law students at GGU was due to her personal outreach to many of us. As a Dean, she was accessible to everyone, never standing on ceremony. She was always “Judy” from the first day of class when she greeted us. We were so lucky to have Judy as our inspiration. Antonia Darling (Class of 77)
August 28, 2014
What a sad day! Judy was an inspiration and role-model during my time at GGU Law School (1977-1980). She whole-heartedly supported diversity and the empowerment of women in the legal profession. She brought both head and heart to everything she did as Dean, and made law school a stimulating and awakening experience in the process.
You are greatly missed.
Barbara S. Bryant ('80)
David Brennan
August 28, 2014
Dean McKelvey was a great dean, mentor and innovator. Her passing is a loss for the legions of GGU law grads who were privileged to know her. (Class of 73)
Susan Rutberg
August 28, 2014
My deepest condolences to Judy McKelvey's family and friends. Judy was my Property professor in 1972, and instantly property became my favorite course. She engaged and inspired all her students, but was a very special inspiration and role model for the women in the class. As Dean, Judy was visionary, accessible, and politic: she was a brilliant net-worker and leader in advancing the cause of equality. It was a privilege to have been her student, and later, her friend and colleague on the faculty at GGU. An extraordinary woman, indeed. Rest in peace,dear Judy.
Virginia McConnell
August 28, 2014
Judy was an outstanding Real Property professor and a terrific dean. I still remember those RP lessons and pass them on to my Business Law class.
Rest in peace, Judy. Thanks for all you've done for GGULS.
Virginia McConnell
Class of '76
Class of 1970
Harry Rogers
August 27, 2014
She was a joy to know.
Mark M Garay
August 27, 2014
Judy was a major influence in my life and professional career. She was a teacher, a mentor, and a great friend. I have been abundantly enriched both personally and professionally for having had the privilege of sharing at least part of my life with her. I remember Judy for her warmth, infectious mischievous smile, electric nonstop energy, a lightning quick wit, and kind and gentle heart.
Years after graduation, she told me that I scared her in class because I sat in the front row and never took a note. This was true. I enjoyed listening to her so much, and she was so entertaining and clear, that here was no reason to write. She was always available for coffee and conversation, whether about her lecture, my personal life, or matters of state and geopolitics. She was a great pal and I feel the emptiness of knowing she has passed.
I will always remember Judy fondly.
Mark M. Garay class of 74
Christopher Sweeney GGU Class of 89'
August 27, 2014
Dean Mckelvey was an outstanding professor; engaging, funny and somehow able to make real property law vibrant and alive! She made a lasting impression on us all and will not be forgotten. My deepest condolences to Dean Mckelvey's family.
Jo Ann Novoson, class of '75
August 27, 2014
Such a WONDERFUL teacher and role model. She inspired us, that first year of law school, and modeled the highest standards of the legal profession.
Julie Barreto
August 27, 2014
She made the deanship seem effortless and thereby served as an inspiring role model to me when I was there from 1978 to 1981.
August 27, 2014
An inspiring role model and one of the nicest professors I had at GGU. She was always approachable, upbeat, and made learning a joy. I count myself fortunate to have had her as a professor. Her welcoming smile and enthusiasm will endure in my memory. Thank you, Judy McKelvey!
C.S. "Halal" Gordon.
GGU Law School, Class of 1989
August 27, 2014
RIP Judy
Tim and Eddie Stewart
Honolulu
Paul Kondrick GGU Law '79
August 27, 2014
Words cannot express Dean Judy's measure and influence, nor fill the loss caused by her passing. Recollections of her inspire us to try to rise to her level of humanness.
Mara Mamet
August 27, 2014
Dean McKelvey was one of the first faculty members I met when I first attended GGU. I was immediately struck with her warmth and genuine interest in those around her. It was hard to navigate the school hallways with her as she was repeatedly stopped to say hello to one person or another. She was gracious to all. It was a pleasure to meet a professional woman back in the very early '80's and I remember her saying to me that it was my turn to pass it on. I couldn't have had a better role model. She will be missed.
Michael Fenger
August 27, 2014
I was just another student at GGU (class of 1979) when she was "Dean Judy", but she always made us feel like she knew us all well. She was an inspiration to all of us, and she won't be forgotten.
Michael Fenger
August 27, 2014
I was just one of the Golden Gate University SOL students when she was "Dean Judy" -- I didn't know her well, but she always had a smile or a wave, and when she taught a section of property, she helped inspire all of us. She helped instill in us an appreciation of the law and the ways it can help people. She won't be forgotten by any of her students.
Patricia (Patti) Turnage
August 27, 2014
Professor McKelvey was my property professor. Everytime I have a case that involves prescriptive easements or adverse possession I think of her. She always had such a pleasant way about her and was always eager to help a student who wanted to learn. My deepest sympathies to her family and loved ones.
24/7/365
william helfrick
August 27, 2014
Stewart Bletcher,myself,& several other Class of 1970 law students, accompanied her on a great picnic in the wine country; she taught me Constitutional law, and, was always available to guide us, as well as teach us. This makes me very sad. My condolances to her family. WILLIAM F. HELFRICK, Class of 1970
Mort Cohen
August 26, 2014
What a wonderful person and Dean you were - grand, gracious and fine - you are always in my heart
Elek Fenyes
August 25, 2014
One of the best professors I ever had. She made the law relevant, clear and easy to understand.
Leslie Kaye
August 25, 2014
Dean Judy was a spectacular role model, with her smarts, integrity and vision, and always such a lovely person. She inspired many and will be missed.
With fondness and gratitude,
Leslie Kaye, GGU Law School, Class of 1981
August 24, 2014
Ms McKelvey was a wonderful teacher and a wonderful human being. She will be missed.
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