64 | DECEMBER 30 • 2021

OBITUARIES
OF BLESSED MEMORY

J

udy Fertel Layne, 58, of
West Bloomfield, died
Nov. 7, 2021, surrounded
by family.
Her beloved husband of
more than 26 years, Michael
Layne, says, “Judy lived with
ALS for nearly eight years with
love, empathy for others, pur-
pose and dignity.
”
Born Jan. 14, 1963, Layne
was the beloved daughter of
Max and Elaine Fertel. She
was the baby sister to Sandi,
Howard and David and loved
them dearly. She grew up in
Oak Park and attended Oak
Park High School.
Judy cherished her time at
the University of Michigan,
where she graduated with
a degree in psychology.
She earned her J.D. from
Wayne State University and
then found tremendous mean-
ing in the practice of law.
Judy took great satisfac-
tion in her work at the Troy-
based law firm of Dickinson
Wright where she served
as a partner for more than
25 years, specializing in tax
and estate law. Judy, being
both whip-smart and deeply
empathetic, formed lasting
and valued relationships with
colleagues and clients. She
was grateful for the culture at
Dickinson Wright, which facili-
tated her work, even in illness.
She was a loving moth-
er to Joshua and took
pleasure in their conver-
sations about his daily life
and their shared focus on social
responsibility. She had tre-
mendous pride in Joshua, his
accomplishments, and
the mensch he’s become.
She greatly admired Joshua’s
wife, Yui, for her strength,

intelligence, and the love she
shared with Josh and their baby
daughter, Beni. One of Judy’s
final joys in life was holding
and being a softa (grand-
mother) to Beni.
Throughout Josh’s school
years, it was important to
Judy and Michael that Josh
and his many friends saw
their home as a place where
they could always enjoy good
food and laughter.
Judy enjoyed a good (off-col-
or) joke and recollections of her
brothers’ escapades while grow-
ing up on Oak Park Boulevard.
She was known to laugh in
hysterics — even when telling
her own jokes and stories. Judy
enjoyed long-lasting and deep
bonds with her friends from
childhood and college years, as
well as colleagues from work.
All were present during the
challenging progression of ALS.
“She cared much more about
the well-being of others than
herself,
” Michael says. “
A big,
giving heart. Generous and
kind, wickedly smart, and
beautiful. And so funny.
”
Prior to her ALS diagnosis,
Layne was very athletic. When

not working, she could be
found at the gym or running
miles on end. She was a vera-
cious reader and enjoyed intel-
lectual discourse over wine and
dinner. Together, Judy and
Michael traveled extensively,
both in the United States and
internationally.
Judy Layne was a fighter
for social justice. She was an
early, vocal and visible pro-
ponent of LGBTQ+ rights
and legislation. While depen-
dent on a power chair, she
insisted upon participating in
Black Lives Matter marches.
She cared deeply about equal
rights for minorities and the
well-being of the underpriv-
ileged. She was a proponent
for women’s rights.
Active in the commu-
nity, Judy served on the
boards of Gleaners Food Bank,
Juvenile Diabetes Association
and the Chamber Music
Society of Detroit.
“In terms of ALS, Judy was
the female Lou Gehrig, who
said he was the luckiest man
in the world,
” says Michael.
“Judy never said, ‘Why me?’
She would state that she led a

fortunate and full life – refer-
ring to her beloved niece,
Rachel, who died at age 14
from dysautonomia and to
children worldwide who are
unloved and hungry.
”
There were many won-
derful caregivers who helped
make Judy’s life manageable
in the later stages of ALS.
“Judy had such a big heart that
she cared for her caregivers,
offering them both personal
and business advice and sup-
port,
” says Michael.
“She managed the progres-
sion of ALS with dignity, pur-
pose, grace and compassion,
”
Michael says. “While she was
going through this horrendous
disease, her empathy for others
never ceased.
”
Michael, who loved Judy
deeply, sums up her lega-
cy: “Strength, generosity, intel-
ligence, beauty, and deep empa-
thy for all sentient beings.
”
Judy Fertel Layne was the
beloved wife of Michael Layne;
dear mother of Joshua (Yui)
Layne; loving grandmother of
Beni Layne; adoring daughter
of Max and Elaine Fertel; sister
of Sandi (Dr. Keith) Reich, Dr.
Howard (Natalie) Fertel and
Dr. David (Jill) Fertel. She’s
survived by her father-in-law,
Phillip Layne (the late Norma
Layne); and sisters-in-law,
Renee (Dr. Joel) Stillman, Heidi
(Jeffrey) Baill and Mindy (Dr.
Joel) Young.
Judy is also survived by many
adoring nieces, nephews and
grandnieces and grandneph-
ews. She leaves behind a world
of loving family, friends and
colleagues who all miss her
deeply.
Interment was at Oakview
Cemetery.

Generous, Kind, Whip-Smart,
Beautiful and Funny

DANNY SCHWARTZ STAFF WRITER

Judy Fertel
Layne