Deborah “Orah” Kenn, 67, of Nelson, died at home in the presence of family and friends on April 20, 2023, after a courageous seven-year journey with leukemia. Born in New York City and raised in Fort Lee, N.J., she spent her adult life in Syracuse and Nelson.
She obtained a bachelor’s degree from Eisenhower College and a JD law degree from SUNY Buffalo. Initially practicing environmental and animal rights law in NYC, she then worked in poverty law with Legal Services in Syracuse. Subsequently, Deborah was employed at Syracuse University starting in 1989, initially as a law professor to direct the Community Develop Law Clinic. She was then appointed as Director of Clinical Legal Education Office, and most recently served as Associate Dean of Clinical and Experiential Education at the Law School.
She also led three student trips to South Africa to study the post-Apartheid legal system in that country. Throughout her legal and academic career, Deborah was a passionate advocate for social, environmental and economic justice, for animal rights, and for compassionate lawyering. She is the author of “Lawyering from the Heart,” and co-author of “Community Economic Development Law.” Deborah also served the Nelson community as a member of the Nelson Town Board.
Her energy and dedication for living was shared with her family, a wide circle of friends, her animals, her students and her colleagues. Her interests included gardening, word puzzles, hiking, traveling, reading, cooking and dining out. She also found comfort, wisdom and strength from the natural world.
A celebration and tribute to the life of Deborah is being planned. Please check michaelebrownfuneralservices.com for future details when they become available. Donations can be made in Deb’s honor to the ASPCA https://www.aspca.org/ or to Syracuse University College of Law (in support of the College’s Clinical Programs), c/o Advancement Services, 640 Skytop Rd., Syracuse, NY 13244 or 315-443-1964.
