Articles tagged: in memoriam
Message from MCFM President Kim Whelan: Many of you may have already heard of the passing of Judge Edward M. Ginsburg on June 24th. Wonderful things have been written about Judge Ginsburg and I wanted to amplify the important contributions he made to family mediation in Massachusetts. In 2020, MCFM recognized Judge Ginsburg for his valued support of our mediation community by awarding him the John Fiske Award for Excellence in Mediation. It seemed only fitting to ask John Fiske to reflect on Judge Ginsburg’s legacy with respect to the mediation profession. John sent me the wonderful narrative that follows about the important role that Judge Ginsburg (and John) played in jumpstarting family mediation in Massachusetts. (Please share your comments below of your own fond memories of the Judge.)
Reflections from John Fiske:
When I started mediating…
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It is with tremendous sadness that we share the passing of Jerry Weinstein. In addition to being the first divorce mediator in New England, Jerry was a founding member of MCFM, our first president, the 2006 recipient of the John Fiske Award for Excellence in Mediation, and an MCFM Director Emeritus.
A tribute to Jerry by John Fiske:
Jerry Weinstein was the father or grandfather of family mediation in Massachusetts, and the Massachusetts Council on Family Mediation was his brainchild and home. I joined the mediation family in September of 1979 after taking a year long absence from Massachusetts with my wife and 3 children with no idea what I would do upon returning. During our trek in Nepal in February my wife suggested I try to help people get divorced peacefully and when I met with Weston friends in Crete in April they had an article…
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Rebecca M. Cohan, long-time MCFM member, passed away on December 6, 2020. As a therapist she worked with individual clients, couples and families for over 40 years, and in 2002 she began working as a family mediator as well. Rebecca continued to help families through her Co-Mediation practice with attorney Stephen Linsky and in her work as a GAL and Parent Coordinator. Our thoughts are with her family, friends, and colleagues. 
Read more ..."I knew him well, first through soccer and then through my history of working four years for the SJC on trying to improve court administration 1974 to 1978, and also through his relationship with Massachusetts Justice of the Federal District Court Dennis Saylor, my son in law. Chief Justice Gants was a big supporter of mediation and its role in helping the courts in Massachusetts serve justice for all. He helped to put in place the two amazing Chief Justices that we interact with more often in the area of family law and mediation: Chief Justice of the Trial Court Paula Carey and Chief Justice of the Probate and Family Court John Casey. They too are both strong supporters of mediation and will surely carry on his great legacy. We are indebted to him as a community for the work that he has done…
In Memoriam: June Adams Johnson
Our friend and colleague June Adams Johnson passed away on April 18, 2018 in her home in Groton, MA, surrounded by family and accompanied by the music of the Threshold Singers of Indian Hill Music. She was a wonderful person and a valued member of our Mediators Education and Support Group, which meets monthly in Interpeople’s offices in Littleton, MA. Her passing was sudden and we still feel shocked and bereft.
June was born June Louise Adams in Portland, Maine, on June 1, 1939. She leaves behind her devoted (second) husband, Steve Lieman, four adult children, five grandchildren and one great-granddaughter.
June graduated high school as valedictorian,…
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