Christine D. Uba

Dec. 26, 1966 – April 25, 2014

Christine Dombrowski Uba, of Snyder, a mother, long-serving church and school volunteer, and widely known lawyer, died April 25 after a brief illness while visiting relatives near Chicago. She was 47.

Born in Niles, Ill., the former Christine Noel Dombrowski was a graduate of Saint Louise de Marillac High School and earned a bachelor of arts degree with high honors from the University of Notre Dame, where she was a liberal studies major and a member of Phi Beta Kappa honor society.

Her husband of 22 years, Mark, whom she met at Notre Dame, said her studies of the great books helped her hone critical reasoning and problem-solving skills that served her well as a mother, confidante to friends and champion for her legal clients.

After completing her undergraduate studies, Ms. Uba worked in the office of the Illinois state's attorney as an advocate for crime victims.

She moved to Western New York to study at the University at Buffalo, where she earned both her law degree, magna cum laude, and a master's degree in social work. Ms. Uba was the recipient of several honors at UB, including the Max Koren award.

Ms. Uba practiced in the litigation department of Jaeckle, Fleischmann & Mugel before taking a sabbatical from her full-time legal career to raise three children. She was a frequent volunteer at St. Gregory the Great and Christ the King schools and was also active in Girl Scouts.

During her hiatus from the legal profession, she was often consulted by other attorneys, including Joel L. Daniels, who praised Ms. Uba as "a shining star – smart, skilled and blessed with a great sense of humor."

When her children reached school age, Ms. Uba joined her husband's law practice, concentrating on complex commercial and criminal litigation.

Chief U.S. District Judge William M. Skretny said news of Ms. Uba's death has spread throughout the legal community.

"She is sorely missed by us all," he said. "Virtually everywhere I go there is a tremendous outpouring of praise and respect and love for her."

A physical fitness enthusiast, Ms. Uba ran in three Chicago Marathons – her first at age 39. According to family and friends, Ms. Uba's life was deeply rooted in her faith. She served as a Eucharistic minister, was a religious education teacher and was active in Cursillo retreats.

In addition to her husband, survivors include two daughters, Ellen and Grace; a son, John; her mother, Bernadine Dombrowski; and two brothers, Steven and Lawrence Dombrowski.

A funeral was held in Illinois. A memorial Mass will be offered 10:30 a.m. Tuesday in St. Gregory the Great Catholic Church, 200 St. Gregory Court at Maple Road, Amherst.