Image: City of Abbotsford / The City of Abbotsford is mourning the loss of a barrister, advocate and community leader who passed at the young age of only 35. In a statement on its website, Abbotsford City Council said it was deeply saddened to hear of the sudden death last month of 35-year-old Michelle Sagert, described by the municipality as a respected lawyer, advocate and leader.

By Mike Vanden Bosch

City of Abbotsford

Abbotsford City Council mourns the sudden passing of 35-year-old lawyer, community leader

Apr 12, 2024 | 6:47 PM

ABBOTSFORD — The City of Abbotsford is mourning the loss of a barrister, advocate and community leader who passed at the young age of only 35.

In a statement dated Friday, April 12 on its website, Abbotsford City Council said it was deeply saddened to hear of the sudden death last month of 35-year-old Michelle Sagert, described by the municipality as a respected lawyer, advocate and leader.

Sagert was a member of the Abbotsford Police Board by virtue of her appointment in June 2023. She replicated similar action taken by her mother Barb Schimnowsky, who herself was a Police Board member until 2021.

Sagert epitomized local roots through and through. She grew up in Abbotsford and graduated from the University of the Fraser Valley in Abbotsford, and worked her way up to become a trial lawyer who practised personal injury and family law.

“She represented clients at all levels of court, including the Supreme Court of Canada, and her advocacy in the Supreme Court of B.C. was frequently selected for publication, as it involved important cases in the law and in practice procedure,” Abbotsford council wrote in their collective statement. “As a lawyer, Michelle was highly respected and known for her empathy and her unwavering commitment to her clients’ causes.”

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Sagert had another dimension to her life beyond her legal practice. The city of Abbotsford characterized her as a magnanimous person who gave the most meaningful gift when her time on earth concluded.

“She was also known for being generous and giving,” Abbotsford council said. “Though her passing was quite sudden and tragic, by donating her organs, Michelle has given the gift of life to eight others. We are grateful to Michelle for her service on the Abbotsford Police Board and express our sincerest condolences to her husband Nathan, her family and all those who knew and loved her.”