Queen’s students and faculty are mourning the loss of Madison Crich, who had recently completed her first year at the Faculty of Law.
Family and friends of Madison told The Journal that she was a hardworking and loving student with an infectiously positive personality. Madison was born in Ottawa.
Crich passed away due to natural causes on April 24. At 25 years of age, she had recently completed her first year in the Faculty of Law at Queen’s University. Flags on campus were lowered in Crich’s memory.
Rachel Morison, a second-year law student, and a close friend of Crich, said the halls of the Law building will feel the loss of an exceptional student.
“She was one of my closest friends and it’s hard to accept the fact that I won’t be hearing her laugh in the hallways and classrooms this coming fall,” Morison, JD ’17, said.
“She was a bright presence in my life and that of many others, and she will always be missed and loved.”
Morison remembers meeting Crich in their first year. She said they quickly became close friends and attended many lectures together.
“She was funny and extremely bright with a big heart and an infectious laugh,” Morison said.
In a statement released earlier last month, Principal Woolf said, “on behalf of the Queen’s community, I want to extend deep and sincere condolences to Madison’s family and friends. Our thoughts are with them at this time.”
Crich was also an experienced dressage rider, which is a type of competitive horse training. Morison said Crich loved her horses and treated them with adoration.
Before she arrived at Queen’s, Crich pursued a Bachelor of Arts degree in the Faculty of Law at Carleton University. She received the Senate Medal for Outstanding Academic Achievement upon graduation in June 2013.
Professors at Carleton University said they also fondly remember her. Dr. Ruben Balasubramaniam, a professor at Carleton, said Madison Crich stood out amongst the many students he taught.
“It is a great loss that she is no longer with us. And it is a greater loss to the world at large that we will not see how she might have realized her immense potential,” Balasubramaniam said via email.
Another professor, Dr. Amy Bartholomew, said she invited Crich to several PhD seminars due to her intellectual talents.
“Madison was truly a scholar. She enjoyed the pursuit of learning. She would dig into the most difficult theoretical texts and plumb their depths for insight,” Dr. Bartholomew said via email.
Dr. Jane Dickson, professor and associate chair at Carleton University, said she considered Madison as a friend. The two would often find themselves engaged in a range of theoretical debates, she added.
Dickson said that Crich, who had been a teaching assistant in one of Dickson’s classes, had a rare ability to motivate her students and others around her.
“Madison was remarkable. She lived her life with incredible passion, energy and grace, and although she is no longer with us, she will continue to be a part of each life she touched,” Dickson said.
Although Crich spent only one year at Queen’s, professors at the Queen’s Faculty of Law also said they were heartbroken to hear of her passing.
“She was a lovely, gentle, and charming young woman with a sharp mind and a quick wit, and one of the finest students in the class,” Professor Bruce Pardy said via email.
Pardy led Crich’s group in her Torts class — a legal studies class required by all students of the law — at the Queen’s School of Law.
Bill Flanagan, Dean of the Faculty of Law sent his condolences to the Crich family on behalf of the faculty and the Queen’s community.
A celebration of life was held on Friday, May 1. Details can be found at tubmanfuneralhomes.com.
Anyone in need of support is encouraged to contact Health, Counselling and Disability Services at 613-533-6000 ext.78264 and/or University Chaplain Kate Johnson at 613-533-2186 orkate.johnson@queensu.ca
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