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Judith C. Garlow

Judy Christine Garlow (1943-2007) was a national pioneer in the effort to secure adequate funding for legal services to the poor. As Director of the Legal Services Trust Fund Program of the State Bar of California, and a leader on countless boards and commissions supporting legal services, Judy was instrumental in statewide and national efforts to improve and expand legal help for the poor.

She grew up in Escondido, California. where she was a member of Hidden Valley 4-H Club and graduated from Escondido Union High School in 1961. As the salutatorian, she challenged her fellow graduates to discover their own private paths of excellence, and then she spent a lifetime carving her own path.

She attended Stanford University, graduating in 1965, and then worked with neglected and abused children for the San Diego County Welfare Department. She served as the secretary of the welfare chapter of local 127 AFSC&W.

In 1972 she moved to San Francisco with her then-husband Carl Cheney and began her career at the State Bar of California, where she worked for 32 years. When she became management, it tickled her to no end that she had been one of the leaders of the organizing drive to unionize State Bar employees. Judy joined the Legal Services Trust Fund in its nascent stage, implementing legislation to fund legal assistance for low-income Californians. She became director of the Trust Fund Program in 1993, and continued in that role until her retirement last year. She oversaw the establishment of the Equal Access Fund in 1999, increasing access to justice for many.

Judy was an accomplished painter and cook, and enjoyed traveling. She also enjoyed socializing with friends, walking, hiking and bird watching. Judy demonstrated extraordinary grace and courage in facing her last struggle, continuing even during her illness to contribute her expertise and good sense to complex efforts to enhance the funding streams she had worked so tirelessly to administer. Judy is survived by her daughter Karen Maletta, grandson Anthony, granddaughter Heather, Brother Jim Garlow, sister-in-law Brenda Garlow, nephews Colin and Ian and niece Clara, and many friends.

Services will be held for Judy on Friday, June 8 at 10:00 in the historic Golden Gate Room in Fort Mason Center at Marina Boulevard and Buchanan Street in San Francisco. Judy has requested that any donations be sent to either: National Brain Tumor Foundation, 22 Battery Street, Suite 612, San Francisco, CA 94111, or to Hospice by the Bay, c/o Donation Department, 1540 Market Street, Suite 350, San Francisco, CA 94102.

Judy's Ashes will be scattered in the ocean of Maui Hawaii with those of her parents Everett and Trudy Garlow. A memorial bench will be erected in her honor at Holly Park in Bernal Heights, San Francisco.