Faith Orlowski's Legacy Lives On

Faith Orlowski’s birthday is July 28, so July is the month to honor and celebrate her.

When we think of Faith, most of us think of her laugh. It was unmistakable. I remember hearing her down the hall in the Bar Center, from the lobby at Moyers Martin, walking into Tulsa SPCA meetings, and even at the other end of Sam’s Club a couple of times. Her laugh was irresistible and infectious. Doug and I always made a special effort to get to the TCBA Holiday Party early so we could sit with Faith for a big dose of cheer.

Faith Orlowski was an active (understatement) and dedicated member of the Tulsa County Bar Association where she served as President, board member, chair of various committees, and frequent CLE speaker. She was honored with two President’s Awards for her service. Faith was recognized by her peers as a brilliant lawyer, mentor, leader, and dear friend.

Most of you know, too, that Faith is a legend in the animal law community. She started the TCBA Animal Law Committee years ago, helped establish many nonprofit animal organizations, and provided advice and counsel to numerous animal lovers and organizations. She was the TCBA’s go-to person for any question that related in any way to animals and the law - from estate planning for your pet, ownership disputes, and dog bites, to quarrels over pets defecating on neighbors’ patios.

Faith was also a long-time Tulsa Society for the Prevention of Cruelty board member. She helped with all kinds of legal and practical matters and was instrumental in helping to establish the new clinic that provides low-cost vaccinations, microchipping, spay/ neuter, and more. Perhaps Faith teetered on going overboard to assist animals in need. Who else would have a litter of adoptable Tulsa SPCA puppies at their husband’s memorial service?

July is Faith’s birthday month, and we are asking for donations to help build a permanent memorial honoring her contributions to the Tulsa County Bar Association and the Tulsa SPCA, both organizations that were very important to her.

The TCBA is working with the Tulsa SPCA to erect a pergola in the Tulsa SPCA’s friendship yard for pets and their people for their “Going Home” pictures to forever celebrate the occasion. A memorial plaque will recognize Faith’s work as a TCBA member who shared her legal expertise, knowledge, and passion for animal welfare to help the Tulsa SPCA and countless others.

We hope you can join the TCBA in honoring Faith, her dedication to the legal community, and her willingness to use her knowledge and experience to help animals and people in need. The Animal Law Committee is raising funds this year to support these efforts but we need a lot of help to reach our goal of $7,000.

Donations may be made to:

And be sure to drop by the Animal Law Committee table at the TCBA Membership Drive, Committee Expo & Open House on July 28 to celebrate Faith’s birthday and pick up some dog or kitty treats to take home to your four-legged family member(s)!