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

