MARY FRANCES SOUTHIN, KC

(1931 – 2025) Mary Frances Southin, KC, retired Justice of the Court of Appeal of British Columbia, died September 24, 2025, in Vancouver in her 94th year. She is survived by her long-time companion, Mary Payne; nieces, Martha Labadie, Susan Fisher, Mary Henricksen, and Leslie Sharp (Frank); nephew, Eric Drummond-Hay (Mary); her godson, Matthew Payne (Marky), his two daughters, and his brother, John Payne; and by eight great-nieces and great-nephews. Born in Vancouver in 1931, Madam Justice Southin was a lifelong resident of Kerrisdale. She graduated from the University of British Columbia School of Law in 1952 when she was just 20; she was called to the bar in 1953. She was appointed to the Supreme Court of British Columbia in 1985 and to the BC Court of Appeal in 1988. Among her many accomplishments, she was the first woman in British Columbia to be named Queen's Counsel and the first woman to argue a case before the Supreme Court of Canada. She was also the first woman bencher in British Columbia; when she subsequently became Treasurer of the Law Society in 1977, Miss Southin was the first woman in the Commonwealth to head a law society. She had a remarkable intellect, with a prodigious memory for anecdotes and apposite quotations. She read widely, ranging from poetry and biography to history and detective fiction. She also looked after her large garden and enjoyed cooking and entertaining. Despite her sometimes severe demeanour, Miss Southin was a devoted, kind, and loyal friend and aunt. A service will be held on Thursday, October 16, at 1:00 p.m., at St. Mary's Kerrisdale, 2490 W. 37th Ave., Vancouver. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the Salvation Army. https://bit.ly/saarmy