W/o Bernard 'Bernie' Balick
This obituary is from the Press Enterprise Saturday, October 10, 2020, Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania
Helen Shaffer Balick
Bloom native, first female federal judge in Del.
Helen Shaffer Balick of Wilmington, Del., Chief Judge of the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware (Retired), passed away on Sept. 24, 2020.
Judge Balick was born in Bloomsburg. She was the daughter of the late Walter and Clarissa (Bennett) Shaffer. She graduated from Bloomsburg High School. She was married to Judge Bernard Balick of Wilmington, Del. They were married 53 years.
She took an unusual path to the legal profession. She worked as a secretary in a local law firm while still a student in the commercial section of her high school class. Upon graduation, she continued with the firm, performing duties that are now those of a paralegal.
Judge Balick was encouraged to attend law school. Although lacking a college degree, she was accepted by The Dickinson School of Law based upon her performance on various Graduate Records tests and the Law School Aptitude Test. Judge Balick was one of only three women to be admitted into her law school class. In that class she met her future husband.
After graduation, Judge Balick became a member of the Pennsylvania Bar and thereafter moved to Delaware. Although she was a member of the Pennsylvania Bar, the Delaware Board of Bar Examiners required her to pass tests in a number of subjects given by University of Delaware professors in order to satisfy undergraduate requirements. Judge Balick was the 13th woman admitted to the Delaware Bar. She was in private practice, served as a lawyer with the Legal Aid Society and as a Master in Family Court. In 1974, she was appointed to serve as both Magistrate Judge for the District Court and the Bankruptcy Judge, becoming the first female federal judge in Delaware. After the Bankruptcy Code became effective in 1978, Judge Balick became the full-time bankruptcy judge in Delaware, serving as the Court’s sole judge until 1993.
Upon her retirement in 1998, a concurrent resolution of the Delaware General Assembly commended Judge Balick’s “exemplary service,” stating that “…the personal warmth, strength of character, judicial temperament and demonstrated achievements of the Honorable Helen S. Balick stand as an inspiration to all Delawareans, especially those young men and women who aspire to legal careers.”
During her tenure on the bench, Judge Balick presided over numerous large national bankruptcy cases, including Continental Airlines, Columbia Gas Systems and Trans World Airlines, and she established procedures to efficiently administer large cases that have been adopted by bankruptcy courts throughout the country. A legal publication recognized her as one of the most influential bankruptcy judges in United States history.
Judge Balick was a member of a number of boards, including the Board of Governors of the National Conference of Bankruptcy Judges, the Board of Trustees of the Dickinson School of Law, president of the Executive Board of the General Alumni Association, the Board of The Jewish Historical Society of Delaware, the Wilmington School Board, and was the first president of the Board of the statewide Community Legal Aid Society.
Judge Balick received numerous awards, including Dickinson’s Outstanding Alumni Award, the Career Achievement Award, an Honorary Doctor of Laws, The Delaware Alliance of Professional Women Trailblazer Award, and the Delaware State Bar Women’s Leadership Award. She was a Fellow in The American College of Bankruptcy, was inducted into The Hall of Fame of Delaware Women, and was honored by the establishment of the Helen S. Balick Chair in Business Bankruptcy Law at the Widener University School of Law.
Upon learning of Judge Balick’s death, Chief Judge Christopher S. Sontchi issued a statement, which said: “…Her 24 years of judicial service saw monumental changes in the Delaware bankruptcy practice and led the way to the six (soon to be eight)-member court of today. She was an outstanding jurist with an occasionally feisty judicial demeanor. She also had an excellent sense of humor. She was cordial to all and particularly kind to young lawyers, quickly learning their names. She leaves behind a formidable legacy. We all owe a great deal of gratitude to her for her 24 years of service to the Court and the pioneering role she played in the Delaware bar and in making our court what it is today.”
Helen loved her family and her many pets throughout the years. She spent her free time traveling with her husband to book sales, reading and shopping and collecting trinkets of all kinds.
Helen is survived by her husband, Bernie; her nieces: C. Sue Burr and husband, Robert, of Fremont, Neb., Maxine Jones and husband, Scott, of New Columbia; great-nephews: Shawn Burr of Neb., Matthew and Christopher Jones of Watsontown; great-nieces: Autumn Shaffer of Watsontown, Litisha Winters of Watsontown; great-nephew, William Shaffer; and 8 great-great-nieces and nephews: Hayley, Kylie, Madison, Lillian, Ian, Brandon, Logan and Kaitlyn.
She was preceded in death by her two brothers: Jack Shaffer of Denver, Colo., and Max Shaffer of Watsontown; her nephews: James Shaffer of Denver, Colo., and Steven Shaffer of Watsontown; and a great-niece, Jessica, of Nebraska.
Judge Balick’s funeral was private. In lieu of flowers, gifts in memory of Judge Balick may be made to Faithful Friends Animal Society, 12 Germay Drive, Wilmington, DE 19804.
This obituary is from the Press Enterprise Saturday, October 10, 2020, Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania
Helen Shaffer Balick
Bloom native, first female federal judge in Del.
Helen Shaffer Balick of Wilmington, Del., Chief Judge of the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware (Retired), passed away on Sept. 24, 2020.
Judge Balick was born in Bloomsburg. She was the daughter of the late Walter and Clarissa (Bennett) Shaffer. She graduated from Bloomsburg High School. She was married to Judge Bernard Balick of Wilmington, Del. They were married 53 years.
She took an unusual path to the legal profession. She worked as a secretary in a local law firm while still a student in the commercial section of her high school class. Upon graduation, she continued with the firm, performing duties that are now those of a paralegal.
Judge Balick was encouraged to attend law school. Although lacking a college degree, she was accepted by The Dickinson School of Law based upon her performance on various Graduate Records tests and the Law School Aptitude Test. Judge Balick was one of only three women to be admitted into her law school class. In that class she met her future husband.
After graduation, Judge Balick became a member of the Pennsylvania Bar and thereafter moved to Delaware. Although she was a member of the Pennsylvania Bar, the Delaware Board of Bar Examiners required her to pass tests in a number of subjects given by University of Delaware professors in order to satisfy undergraduate requirements. Judge Balick was the 13th woman admitted to the Delaware Bar. She was in private practice, served as a lawyer with the Legal Aid Society and as a Master in Family Court. In 1974, she was appointed to serve as both Magistrate Judge for the District Court and the Bankruptcy Judge, becoming the first female federal judge in Delaware. After the Bankruptcy Code became effective in 1978, Judge Balick became the full-time bankruptcy judge in Delaware, serving as the Court’s sole judge until 1993.
Upon her retirement in 1998, a concurrent resolution of the Delaware General Assembly commended Judge Balick’s “exemplary service,” stating that “…the personal warmth, strength of character, judicial temperament and demonstrated achievements of the Honorable Helen S. Balick stand as an inspiration to all Delawareans, especially those young men and women who aspire to legal careers.”
During her tenure on the bench, Judge Balick presided over numerous large national bankruptcy cases, including Continental Airlines, Columbia Gas Systems and Trans World Airlines, and she established procedures to efficiently administer large cases that have been adopted by bankruptcy courts throughout the country. A legal publication recognized her as one of the most influential bankruptcy judges in United States history.
Judge Balick was a member of a number of boards, including the Board of Governors of the National Conference of Bankruptcy Judges, the Board of Trustees of the Dickinson School of Law, president of the Executive Board of the General Alumni Association, the Board of The Jewish Historical Society of Delaware, the Wilmington School Board, and was the first president of the Board of the statewide Community Legal Aid Society.
Judge Balick received numerous awards, including Dickinson’s Outstanding Alumni Award, the Career Achievement Award, an Honorary Doctor of Laws, The Delaware Alliance of Professional Women Trailblazer Award, and the Delaware State Bar Women’s Leadership Award. She was a Fellow in The American College of Bankruptcy, was inducted into The Hall of Fame of Delaware Women, and was honored by the establishment of the Helen S. Balick Chair in Business Bankruptcy Law at the Widener University School of Law.
Upon learning of Judge Balick’s death, Chief Judge Christopher S. Sontchi issued a statement, which said: “…Her 24 years of judicial service saw monumental changes in the Delaware bankruptcy practice and led the way to the six (soon to be eight)-member court of today. She was an outstanding jurist with an occasionally feisty judicial demeanor. She also had an excellent sense of humor. She was cordial to all and particularly kind to young lawyers, quickly learning their names. She leaves behind a formidable legacy. We all owe a great deal of gratitude to her for her 24 years of service to the Court and the pioneering role she played in the Delaware bar and in making our court what it is today.”
Helen loved her family and her many pets throughout the years. She spent her free time traveling with her husband to book sales, reading and shopping and collecting trinkets of all kinds.
Helen is survived by her husband, Bernie; her nieces: C. Sue Burr and husband, Robert, of Fremont, Neb., Maxine Jones and husband, Scott, of New Columbia; great-nephews: Shawn Burr of Neb., Matthew and Christopher Jones of Watsontown; great-nieces: Autumn Shaffer of Watsontown, Litisha Winters of Watsontown; great-nephew, William Shaffer; and 8 great-great-nieces and nephews: Hayley, Kylie, Madison, Lillian, Ian, Brandon, Logan and Kaitlyn.
She was preceded in death by her two brothers: Jack Shaffer of Denver, Colo., and Max Shaffer of Watsontown; her nephews: James Shaffer of Denver, Colo., and Steven Shaffer of Watsontown; and a great-niece, Jessica, of Nebraska.
Judge Balick’s funeral was private. In lieu of flowers, gifts in memory of Judge Balick may be made to Faithful Friends Animal Society, 12 Germay Drive, Wilmington, DE 19804.
W/o Bernard 'Bernie' Balick
This obituary is from the Press Enterprise Saturday, October 10, 2020, Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania
Helen Shaffer Balick
Bloom native, first female federal judge in Del.
Helen Shaffer Balick of Wilmington, Del., Chief Judge of the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware (Retired), passed away on Sept. 24, 2020.
Judge Balick was born in Bloomsburg. She was the daughter of the late Walter and Clarissa (Bennett) Shaffer. She graduated from Bloomsburg High School. She was married to Judge Bernard Balick of Wilmington, Del. They were married 53 years.
She took an unusual path to the legal profession. She worked as a secretary in a local law firm while still a student in the commercial section of her high school class. Upon graduation, she continued with the firm, performing duties that are now those of a paralegal.
Judge Balick was encouraged to attend law school. Although lacking a college degree, she was accepted by The Dickinson School of Law based upon her performance on various Graduate Records tests and the Law School Aptitude Test. Judge Balick was one of only three women to be admitted into her law school class. In that class she met her future husband.
After graduation, Judge Balick became a member of the Pennsylvania Bar and thereafter moved to Delaware. Although she was a member of the Pennsylvania Bar, the Delaware Board of Bar Examiners required her to pass tests in a number of subjects given by University of Delaware professors in order to satisfy undergraduate requirements. Judge Balick was the 13th woman admitted to the Delaware Bar. She was in private practice, served as a lawyer with the Legal Aid Society and as a Master in Family Court. In 1974, she was appointed to serve as both Magistrate Judge for the District Court and the Bankruptcy Judge, becoming the first female federal judge in Delaware. After the Bankruptcy Code became effective in 1978, Judge Balick became the full-time bankruptcy judge in Delaware, serving as the Court’s sole judge until 1993.
Upon her retirement in 1998, a concurrent resolution of the Delaware General Assembly commended Judge Balick’s “exemplary service,” stating that “…the personal warmth, strength of character, judicial temperament and demonstrated achievements of the Honorable Helen S. Balick stand as an inspiration to all Delawareans, especially those young men and women who aspire to legal careers.”
During her tenure on the bench, Judge Balick presided over numerous large national bankruptcy cases, including Continental Airlines, Columbia Gas Systems and Trans World Airlines, and she established procedures to efficiently administer large cases that have been adopted by bankruptcy courts throughout the country. A legal publication recognized her as one of the most influential bankruptcy judges in United States history.
Judge Balick was a member of a number of boards, including the Board of Governors of the National Conference of Bankruptcy Judges, the Board of Trustees of the Dickinson School of Law, president of the Executive Board of the General Alumni Association, the Board of The Jewish Historical Society of Delaware, the Wilmington School Board, and was the first president of the Board of the statewide Community Legal Aid Society.
Judge Balick received numerous awards, including Dickinson’s Outstanding Alumni Award, the Career Achievement Award, an Honorary Doctor of Laws, The Delaware Alliance of Professional Women Trailblazer Award, and the Delaware State Bar Women’s Leadership Award. She was a Fellow in The American College of Bankruptcy, was inducted into The Hall of Fame of Delaware Women, and was honored by the establishment of the Helen S. Balick Chair in Business Bankruptcy Law at the Widener University School of Law.
Upon learning of Judge Balick’s death, Chief Judge Christopher S. Sontchi issued a statement, which said: “…Her 24 years of judicial service saw monumental changes in the Delaware bankruptcy practice and led the way to the six (soon to be eight)-member court of today. She was an outstanding jurist with an occasionally feisty judicial demeanor. She also had an excellent sense of humor. She was cordial to all and particularly kind to young lawyers, quickly learning their names. She leaves behind a formidable legacy. We all owe a great deal of gratitude to her for her 24 years of service to the Court and the pioneering role she played in the Delaware bar and in making our court what it is today.”
Helen loved her family and her many pets throughout the years. She spent her free time traveling with her husband to book sales, reading and shopping and collecting trinkets of all kinds.
Helen is survived by her husband, Bernie; her nieces: C. Sue Burr and husband, Robert, of Fremont, Neb., Maxine Jones and husband, Scott, of New Columbia; great-nephews: Shawn Burr of Neb., Matthew and Christopher Jones of Watsontown; great-nieces: Autumn Shaffer of Watsontown, Litisha Winters of Watsontown; great-nephew, William Shaffer; and 8 great-great-nieces and nephews: Hayley, Kylie, Madison, Lillian, Ian, Brandon, Logan and Kaitlyn.
She was preceded in death by her two brothers: Jack Shaffer of Denver, Colo., and Max Shaffer of Watsontown; her nephews: James Shaffer of Denver, Colo., and Steven Shaffer of Watsontown; and a great-niece, Jessica, of Nebraska.
Judge Balick’s funeral was private. In lieu of flowers, gifts in memory of Judge Balick may be made to Faithful Friends Animal Society, 12 Germay Drive, Wilmington, DE 19804.
This obituary is from the Press Enterprise Saturday, October 10, 2020, Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania
Helen Shaffer Balick
Bloom native, first female federal judge in Del.
Helen Shaffer Balick of Wilmington, Del., Chief Judge of the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware (Retired), passed away on Sept. 24, 2020.
Judge Balick was born in Bloomsburg. She was the daughter of the late Walter and Clarissa (Bennett) Shaffer. She graduated from Bloomsburg High School. She was married to Judge Bernard Balick of Wilmington, Del. They were married 53 years.
She took an unusual path to the legal profession. She worked as a secretary in a local law firm while still a student in the commercial section of her high school class. Upon graduation, she continued with the firm, performing duties that are now those of a paralegal.
Judge Balick was encouraged to attend law school. Although lacking a college degree, she was accepted by The Dickinson School of Law based upon her performance on various Graduate Records tests and the Law School Aptitude Test. Judge Balick was one of only three women to be admitted into her law school class. In that class she met her future husband.
After graduation, Judge Balick became a member of the Pennsylvania Bar and thereafter moved to Delaware. Although she was a member of the Pennsylvania Bar, the Delaware Board of Bar Examiners required her to pass tests in a number of subjects given by University of Delaware professors in order to satisfy undergraduate requirements. Judge Balick was the 13th woman admitted to the Delaware Bar. She was in private practice, served as a lawyer with the Legal Aid Society and as a Master in Family Court. In 1974, she was appointed to serve as both Magistrate Judge for the District Court and the Bankruptcy Judge, becoming the first female federal judge in Delaware. After the Bankruptcy Code became effective in 1978, Judge Balick became the full-time bankruptcy judge in Delaware, serving as the Court’s sole judge until 1993.
Upon her retirement in 1998, a concurrent resolution of the Delaware General Assembly commended Judge Balick’s “exemplary service,” stating that “…the personal warmth, strength of character, judicial temperament and demonstrated achievements of the Honorable Helen S. Balick stand as an inspiration to all Delawareans, especially those young men and women who aspire to legal careers.”
During her tenure on the bench, Judge Balick presided over numerous large national bankruptcy cases, including Continental Airlines, Columbia Gas Systems and Trans World Airlines, and she established procedures to efficiently administer large cases that have been adopted by bankruptcy courts throughout the country. A legal publication recognized her as one of the most influential bankruptcy judges in United States history.
Judge Balick was a member of a number of boards, including the Board of Governors of the National Conference of Bankruptcy Judges, the Board of Trustees of the Dickinson School of Law, president of the Executive Board of the General Alumni Association, the Board of The Jewish Historical Society of Delaware, the Wilmington School Board, and was the first president of the Board of the statewide Community Legal Aid Society.
Judge Balick received numerous awards, including Dickinson’s Outstanding Alumni Award, the Career Achievement Award, an Honorary Doctor of Laws, The Delaware Alliance of Professional Women Trailblazer Award, and the Delaware State Bar Women’s Leadership Award. She was a Fellow in The American College of Bankruptcy, was inducted into The Hall of Fame of Delaware Women, and was honored by the establishment of the Helen S. Balick Chair in Business Bankruptcy Law at the Widener University School of Law.
Upon learning of Judge Balick’s death, Chief Judge Christopher S. Sontchi issued a statement, which said: “…Her 24 years of judicial service saw monumental changes in the Delaware bankruptcy practice and led the way to the six (soon to be eight)-member court of today. She was an outstanding jurist with an occasionally feisty judicial demeanor. She also had an excellent sense of humor. She was cordial to all and particularly kind to young lawyers, quickly learning their names. She leaves behind a formidable legacy. We all owe a great deal of gratitude to her for her 24 years of service to the Court and the pioneering role she played in the Delaware bar and in making our court what it is today.”
Helen loved her family and her many pets throughout the years. She spent her free time traveling with her husband to book sales, reading and shopping and collecting trinkets of all kinds.
Helen is survived by her husband, Bernie; her nieces: C. Sue Burr and husband, Robert, of Fremont, Neb., Maxine Jones and husband, Scott, of New Columbia; great-nephews: Shawn Burr of Neb., Matthew and Christopher Jones of Watsontown; great-nieces: Autumn Shaffer of Watsontown, Litisha Winters of Watsontown; great-nephew, William Shaffer; and 8 great-great-nieces and nephews: Hayley, Kylie, Madison, Lillian, Ian, Brandon, Logan and Kaitlyn.
She was preceded in death by her two brothers: Jack Shaffer of Denver, Colo., and Max Shaffer of Watsontown; her nephews: James Shaffer of Denver, Colo., and Steven Shaffer of Watsontown; and a great-niece, Jessica, of Nebraska.
Judge Balick’s funeral was private. In lieu of flowers, gifts in memory of Judge Balick may be made to Faithful Friends Animal Society, 12 Germay Drive, Wilmington, DE 19804.
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