Elizabeth “Betty” Weaver, a retired justice of the Michigan Supreme Court, died in her Glen Arbor home at the age of 74.
Weaver served as a justice on the Michigan Supreme Court from 1995 to 2010, and served as chief justice from 1999 to 2001. Prior to her time on the Supreme Court, Weaver served as a judge on the Michigan Court of Appeals, from 1987 to 1994. She established a national reputation for her strong views on juvenile justice during her service as a Leelanau County probate judge from 1974 until 1987. She also worked as an attorney and title specialist for the Chevron Oil Company.
Weaver devoted herself to organizations and activities dealing with education and young people. She was appointed to committees overseeing juvenile justice by Governors Milliken, Blanchard, Engler and Granholm. Governor Engler and the Family Independence Agency recognized her with an award for outstanding service to the children and families of Michigan.
Born in New Orleans, Weaver received her bachelor’s degree from H. Sophie Newcomb College and her juris doctor from Tulane University. She moved to Michigan to work as a first grade teacher and dean of students of Leelanau-area elementary schools, and she created the course “What Everyone Should Know about the Law” at Central Michigan University Off-Campus Education Department.
State Bar of Michigan Executive Director Janet Welch served as Supreme Court counsel during Justice Weaver’s tenure as chief justice. Welch noted that when Weaver considered any court reform proposal during her tenure as chief justice, her first question was always about how the proposed change would impact the most vulnerable members of society, particularly children.
State Bar President Tom Rombach noted that as a former school teacher, Justice Weaver was a prime mover in the creation of the nationally-recognized Learning Center within the Hall of Justice in Michigan.
Arrangements are being handled by Reynolds Jonkhoff Funeral Home in Traverse City.
Donations to the Learning Center, supported through voluntary State Bar of Michigan contributions, can be made here.
Posted by Samantha Meinke
