The Honourable Terri A. MacPherson, K.C. (LLB’92) built a career defined not by prominence alone, but by the trust, kindness, and steady judgment she brought to every role she held. When the UNB Law community said goodbye last January, it mourned not only a distinguished alumna and member of the judiciary, but a deeply admired friend and mentor whose influence reached far beyond the courtroom.
In a moving eulogy, Terri’s longtime friend and former colleague Karen Rose reflected on the extraordinary compassion that defined MacPherson’s life and career.
“With the passing of our Terri, a dazzling light has dimmed,” Rose said. “She did so many good things. She was a lawyer, a prosecutor, a legal services manager, a public trustee, and a Supreme Court judge. These were her jobs, and in fact they were her callings, and she served the people so well in each position she had.”
Rose shared that Terri’s impact reached far beyond the titles she held, touching the lives of countless colleagues, clients, and members of the public.
“She brought empathy and compassion for people who hadn’t seen that in a long time, or perhaps ever,” Rose said. “In doing so, she made us all want to be better.”
Recalling a moment spent helping Terri clear out old belongings, Rose described discovering a handwritten note tucked inside a book that captured the philosophy by which she lived:
“As long as I have breath, someone needs what I have.”
Those words reflected the way Terri moved through the world—always ready to offer guidance, strength, and love to the people around her.
“She knew she was needed,” said Rose. “We needed her counsel, and we needed her love, which she gave in abundance. Terri was fierce, she loved ferociously, and she was immensely devoted and protective of the people she loved. Terri’s legacy lies in the strength that she gave to others. We are going to need that strength now while we figure out how to live our lives without Terri’s blazing light.”
Born and raised in Sherwood, Prince Edward Island, Terri’s career was defined by a deep and enduring commitment to her beloved home province. After earning a BA from the University of Prince Edward Island and an LLB from UNB Law in 1992, she articled in Saint John with Gilbert McGloan Gillis before being called to the bar in 1993.
In 1995, MacPherson returned to Prince Edward Island, beginning her legal career in private practice with the Summerside firm Key and McKnight before joining the provincial public service as a Crown prosecutor in 1996. Over the decades that followed, she built a respected career rooted in public service, developing extensive experience in criminal prosecution, child protection, and criminal injuries compensation.
Prior to her appointment to the bench, MacPherson served as a senior lawyer with the Department of Justice and Public Safety of Prince Edward Island and later as Prothonotary of the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal of Prince Edward Island—roles that demonstrated both her legal expertise and the trust she inspired within the profession.
On October 27, 2017, MacPherson was appointed to the Supreme Court of Prince Edward Island, a milestone in a career marked not by ambition alone, but by a steadfast commitment to fairness, compassion, and service to others.
Maj. Rev. Dr. Tom Hamilton reflected on the care and thoughtfulness she brought to her work on the bench:
“Throughout her practice as a lawyer and judge, Terri consistently worked with integrity. She was diligent in ensuring her judicial independence and impartiality. She judged cases according to the facts and maintained strict boundaries of confidentiality.
Hamilton noted that MacPherson approached every decision with extraordinary care and humanity.
“She handwrote every one of her judgments. She believed in taking the time to be thorough and to fairly weigh fact with compassion. In her work, Terri presided with wisdom and understanding.”
Beyond her legal career, MacPherson dedicated herself to public service and community involvement across Prince Edward Island. She volunteered with numerous organizations, including the United Way of PEI, the Rehabilitation Council of PEI, and the Law Society of Prince Edward Island.
In 2024, she was awarded Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee Medal in recognition of her contributions and service to the community—an honour she accepted with characteristic modesty.
“She epitomized humility,” said Hamilton. “[Her sister] Angela discovered that Terri had been awarded Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee Medal. None of her family knew that she had received this award because she hadn’t told them.”
The Hon. Krista MacKay (LLB’95), Chief Judge of the Provincial Court of Prince Edward Island, remembers her friend and mentor as one of the most generous people she has ever encountered.
“Not only was she generous financially, constantly donating to many different charities and causes, but she was also generous with her time and her wisdom. She was a mentor to a great number of people of all ages and stages. I cherished receiving her sage advice, whether it was professionally or personally related. Despite her own full schedule, she never failed to find time to devote to any issue or problem that someone was having, always with a smile on her face, and never with an air of superiority. Her advice was given in a way that lifted you up and you would leave her counsel feeling better about your situation, and about yourself. I will forever miss her wisdom, kindness and friendship.”
Terri’s time at UNB Law was defined by her remarkable ability to foster community. As a first-year law student, Terri stood out not for seeking the spotlight, but for how she lifted others up around her. Everyone who spent time with Terri remembers her sharp wit, her distinctive PEI accent, and, most importantly, her unwavering compassion, warmth, and the sense of community she fostered among her classmates.
Terri approached her studies with the dedication and intellect that eventually served her well on the PEI Supreme Court. But what truly set her apart was how she transformed the competitive environment of law school into one of collaboration and mutual support. She was often the first to offer notes to absent classmates, organize study groups that welcomed everyone, and provide words of encouragement during challenging times.
Classmate Kelly VanBuskirk remembers Terri as someone whose intelligence and accomplishments never overshadowed the warmth, humour, and generosity that made her such a cherished friend and colleague.
“One of her strengths was that she was a connector. People say that about lots of people, but it really is true with Terri.
He recalls her sharp intellect and quick wit, but also the compassion and humility that made people naturally gravitate toward her.
“She was a person who had a great sense of humour—she was an extremely witty, funny person, and she was compassionate. For those of us who had the privilege of spending a lot of time with Terri, we benefited from all of those characteristics. She was the kind of person who cared about other people. She was fair-minded. She was very intelligent, but she was never boastful or arrogant about her strengths.”
For VanBuskirk, one of the most remarkable things about Terri was how little success and status changed her over the years.
“She was a pretty easy person to spend time with and a very easy person to like. Even when she was a judge, she was still the same approachable, entertaining, fun person. Periodically, a group of us would go to PEI and visit Terri. And when that happened, it never really seemed like we were spending time with a judge—it was just our old classmate.”
Her legacy at UNB Law should continue to inspire students and faculty alike, reminding us that excellence in the legal profession is measured not only by achievement, but by how we treat one another along the way.
Thanks to the generosity of Terri’s classmates and friends, the Terri A. MacPherson Prize Fund has been established to recognize first-year law students who embody the qualities that made Terri such a beloved member of the UNB Law community. Beginning in the fall of 2027, this prize will be awarded annually to a student who, in the view of the Dean, demonstrates exceptional compassion toward their classmates, a commitment to fostering camaraderie within the law school, and actions that build community and support among their peers.
This prize celebrates students who understand that the journey through law school is not just an individual pursuit, but a collective experience that can be enriched through kindness and collaboration.
“The prize maintains Terri’s presence at the law school,” says VanBuskirk. “But beyond that, it keeps her value system at the forefront of law students’ minds. Terri was a strong student, but she wasn’t a person who was unfair or competitive. She always wanted to see everyone do well and see everyone succeed.
He hopes the award will encourage students to carry those same values into their own legal education and careers.
“If we remind ourselves of those values, everyone who’s involved in the law school can try to emulate Terri’s strengths.”
In that same spirit, those who wish to help ensure the continued growth of the Terri A. MacPherson Prize Fund are invited to contact the Dean’s Office by phone or email to learn more about contributing.
