Constance Rachelle Glube

Constance Rachelle Glube
FORMER PROVINCIAL CHIEF JUSTICE PASSES AWAY IN HALIFAX

GLUBE, Constance Rachelle (0C, ONS, LL.D., L.H.D), age 84, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family February 15, 2016, in QEII Health Science Centre whose Foundation she saved as chair from 2007-2009. The city, province and Canada have lost a woman who gave much of herself to her legal profession and the many community organizations to which she lent her extensive wisdom and expertise.

Born in Ottawa November 23, 1931 and married for 45 years to Richard Glube prior to his passing in 1997, Connie was a daughter of the late Sam and Pearl (Slonensky) Lepofsky. She is survived by her sister, Sheila Pollock, Ottawa; sons, John, Toronto; Harry (Wanda Pottle), Halifax; and Joe (Elizabeth), Oakville, Ont.; and daughter, Erica Kolatch (Barry), Silver Springs, Md.

Also surviving are grandchildren, Naomi Kolatch (Mark) Marcus, Newton, Mass.; Eliezer Kolatch and daughter-in-law Shoshana Covel Kolatch Teaneck, N.J.; and Aharon Kolatch, Brooklyn, N.Y.; as well as Caleb and Tia Globe, Oakville, Ont; and great-grandchildren, Alana and Mikey Marcus and Alon and Tal Kolatch.

Connie's contribution to the law in Nova Scotia started after she received an arts degree from McGill University in 1952 and a law degree from Dalhousie University in 1955. She worked in private legal firms before joining the City of Halifax in 1969 for five years as a solicitor.

Connie Glube was a woman of firsts. In 1974, she became city manager of Halifax, the first woman city manager in Canada. In late 1977, a telephone call from then-Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau informed a disbelieving Connie, always a non-political person, that she was appointed a judge of the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia, the first woman in that role in the province.

In 1982, she was appointed Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Province, the first woman Chief Justice in Canada. In 1988, she became Chief Justice of Nova Scotia, Nova Scotia Court of Appeal. Ten years later, she was named Administrator of the Government of the Province of Nova Scotia, retiring from the post and as Chief Justice in December 2004.

A Queen's Counsel, she was named to the Order of Nova Scotia in 2005 and became an Officer of the Order of Canada in 2006. Connie received honourary degrees from Dalhousie University, Mount St. Vincent University and Saint Mary's University. She was an honourary member of the Canadian Bar Association and International Association of Women Judges. In 2006, she received the Senior of the Year Award from Northwood Foundation for her inspiration as a senior and to others.

Always a woman of integrity, dignity and generosity, Connie was never one to ruffle feathers, except in situations when she knew she was right, of course. Her constant smile nude people feel welcome in her presence. You were the focus of her attention, and were met with eye contact in any conversation. As a judge, she was known for complete impartiality and she led her private life the same way, remaining unaffiliated with external organizations to retain that judicial independence.

As a judge she was focused on finding what was right. Her sense of fairness carried into her private life where she treated everyone as equal.

Once retired in 2004, Connie changed, opening up to new adventures and expressing a passion for other interests. Playing bridge became her second career as the created relationships and commitments to games that she will miss, and friends and bridge partners who will miss her dearly. Her bridge partners and friends became a second family, some even calling her "Mum". Her prowess led to becoming a "Ruby Life Master". Even last week, she was eagerly 'oolong forward to participating in an out-of-town bridge anise in February.

Family was important to her. She had already scheduled a March hip to Santa Fe to celebrate her sister-in-law's 91st birthday. While married to Dick, and later with her children and grandchildren, Connie saw much of the world through her extensive travels. With great affection, she treated her children and grandchildren equally; ensuring time and resources were spread equally among them.

Her children reflected CM her generosity. "She gave back to so many causes because she felt she was so blessed in her life," said Harry.

She served on many boards, commissions and charitable organizations including Shaar Shalom Synagogue (she and Dick were original members of the congregation which Dick's father, Joe, helped found in 1957), the Tridents of Neptune Theatre, Halifax Grammar School, Halifax Court House Commission, Institute of Public Ad-ministration of Canada, Canadian Council of Christians and Jews, Atlantic region, Halifax Heritage Foundation, Canadian Mental Health Association, Nova Scotia Di-vision, National Judicial institute, Nova Scotia Archives, Halifax Hadassah-Wizo, Nova Scotia chapter of the Canadian Foundation of Ileitis and Colitis, Massada, Lieutenant Governor Arts Award Foundation, QEII Foundation as member, vice-chair and chair, honorary president Nova Scotia Barristers Society, Halifax Community Learning Network, Canadian Civil Liberties Association, and Canadian Museum for Human Rights.

A woman of eclectic interests, Connie enjoyed time gardening and swimming. She was a regular attendee at Symphony Nova Scotia concerts, Neptune Theatre and other arts endeavors.

The family wishes to thank Doctors, Nurses and staff at the QE II Health Sciences Center for their gentle care during Connie's brief hospitalization after a massive stroke.

A celebration of Connie's life will take place in Shoat Shalom Synagogue, 1981 Oxford St., Halifax, Wednesday at 2 p. m., followed by interment in Shaar Shalom Cemetery, Connaught Avenue. The family will receive guests during the Shiva mounting period at 5920 Inglewood Dr., Halifax, Wednesday from 7-9 p.m., Thurs-day from 2-4 and 7-9 pm. and Saturday from 7-9 p.m.

Donations in Connie's memory may be made to Constance R. Glube Bursary Fund (Dalhousie Law School) or Glube Fund (Shaar Shalom Congregation) or a charity of your choice.