Third District Judge Anne M. Stirba, 50, died Saturday, July 14, 2001, after a lengthy battle with breast cancer.
"She was very highly regarded, and she was very fair," said Marcy Thorne, Judge Stirba's clerk of more than seven years. "She was very considerate, and tried to be very accommodating. She was just a wonderful person."
Those familiar with Judge Stirba say it was not unusual for courtroom visitors to witness the judge awarding praise, handshakes and standing ovations to people who have successfully turned their lives around since first entering the criminal justice system.
On one occasion, the judge brought a grown man and former drug abuser to tears with her accolades.
"She was one of those judges who had enough self confidence and sense of knowing what she was doing that she was really able to reach out to people," said Utah Supreme Court Justice Christine Durham, a personal and professional friend of Judge Stirba. "I think she was readier than a lot of judges are to include a personal connection with the people in her courtroom."
Judge Stirba was appointed to the bench in March 1991 by Gov. Norm Bangerter. She stepped down in January of this year to battle her illness, which was diagnosed nearly 10 years ago.
"I know she cared deeply about not just her work but about the dimension of her work that involved serving people," Durham said. "She really saw herself as someone who worked with people. And she did, and she was good at it."
Judge Stirba's law career is filled with highlights, including her days with the Utah State Attorney General's Office, as an administrative law judge for the Utah Public Service Commission and as an assistant U.S. attorney for Utah.
Judge Stirba was named the Outstanding Young Lawyer of the Year in 1987, served as president of the Utah State Bar Young Lawyers Division, and was a member of the Utah Judicial Council since 1996.
She was also the first woman ever elected to the Utah State Bar Commission, on which she served from 1984 to 1990.
Durham praised Judge Stirba as a catalyst in initiating the Organization of Women's Lawyers, for which she gave tirelessly of her time.
"She was really very generous about organizing social events and helping to bring people new to the bench into an accepting and supporting environment," Durham said. "We're really going to feel that loss."
Judge Stirba leaves behind a husband, Salt Lake defense attorney Peter Stirba, and two daughters, Emily Anne and Melissa Grace.
Her funeral is set for Thursday, July 19, noon, at Wasatch Presbyterian Church, 1626 S. 1700 E., Salt Lake City. Friends may visit one hour prior to services. Instead of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Cancer Wellness House, 59 S. 1100 East.