Kimberly M. Cahill

Kimberly Marie Cahill, 47 of Warren, Former State Bar President passed away Monday evening, January 21, 2008 at her home, following a brief but courageous battle with cancer. Kimberly was born October 25, 1960 in Detroit, Michigan the daughter of Florence (nee: Schoenherr) Cahill- Warnez and the late Maurice Cahill. Kim was a very astute and gifted attorney, practicing for over 20 years in areas of real estate, probate, estate planning and family law matters, with her mother Florence Schoenherr-Warnez and sister Dana M. Warnez. Kim was a lifelong resident of Warren. She graduated from Paul K. Cousino High School class of 1978, and received her B.A. in 1982 and Juris Doctorate Degree in 1985 from the University of Michigan. From a very young age Kim was an avid reader, enjoying the daily newspaper, comics, long novels, professional journals and educational materials. When not reading, she could be found listening to music (her favorites were Bono from U2 and Bruce Springsteen), or listening to the latest political news (she eagerly awaited the 2008 upcoming presidential election, and anticipated our next president would be a woman or a rock star). She loved theater of all kinds, attended Red Wings games and U of M football games, and going out to dinner with friends and family. Her favorite spots to relax and vacation include the family cottage in Lewiston and trips to Hawaii, with either family or friends. Attorney Bruce A. Courtade, a colleague and friend of Kims, best described her as a tremendous inspiration to the countless thousands of people with whom she interacted. I have never met a more humble or willing servant, someone whose commitment to giving back led her to devote literally hundreds of hours per year of her time to various charities and non-profits, and whose innate sense of justice and fairness taught her to never back away from the good fight. Kim was so many things to so many people: as astute businesswoman, a trusted counselor, a strident advocate; a respected adversary. She was a daughter, a sister, and a very dear friend upon whom more people relied than she could count. I consider myself blessed to have been able to include Kim among my closest friends. She was a giant, and she will be missed. Kim was highly active in the local community. She held many positions of leadership, including president of the Macomb County Bar Association in 2001-2002. She was a founding member of and recent past-president of the Macomb County Bar Foundation, which supports law related educational programs in Macomb County. She also served as President of both the Macomb Region of the Women Lawyers Association of Michigan in 1989, and the state WLAM in 1996. She served as Treasurer of the WLAM Foundation, which also promotes educational opportunities for women lawyers and law students. Kim also served and led the State Bar of Michigan in many ways, culminating in her presidency of the organization in 2006-2007. Kim was only the fourth women to achieve the distinction of serving as State Bar President. She served as a State Bar Commissioner from 1997-2007, and chaired the Representative Assembly from 1999-2000. She served as a commissioner liaison to numerous sections and committees, and served as the statewide chair of the Bars Access to Justice Campaign. She sat on the board of the Michigan State Bar Foundation, which helps administer and coordinate grants to legal service providers. During her distinguished career, Kim was honored with many awards and accolades, including the Alexander Macomb Citizen of the Year Award in 1998, as was listed in Crains Detroit Business Top 40 Detroiters under 40 in 1997. Over and above all the accomplishments, no greater accolade or award bestowed can compare to the dearest love and devotion that Kim had for her family and friends. She is survived by her mother Florence Schoenherr-Warnez, sister Pamela M. Cahill, sister Dana M. Warnez, aunt Lorraine Van Overbeke, uncle Basil F. Cahill, aunt Pearl Journeau, and numerous loving cousins, and life-long friend Gerard Bross and Peter Grisdela, and many, many dear friends. She will be missed more than words could ever express. Visitation for Kim will be Thursday from 5-9 pm and Friday from 2-9 pm, at the D.S. Temrowski & Sons Funeral Home, 30009 Hoover Road at Common (12 Mile). The St. Martin de Porres ACWA will have a Rosary Friday 3pm, also a Scripture service will be held 7 pm. Kimberly will lie in state Saturday 9 am at St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church, until the time of the Funeral Mass at 9:30 am. Celebrating the Funeral Liturgy will be Rev. Fr. Roman Pasieczny. Entombment will be at Resurrection Cemetery in Clinton Township. Memorial donations appreciated to the Capuchin Soup Kitchen, Focus Hope, State Bar of Michigan-Access to Justice, U of M Law School, Women Lawyers Association of Michigan Scholarship Fund, or the Macomb County Bar Foundation Scholarship Fund. Please share memories of Kim at her guest book. God Bless you Kim, we love you forever.