TulsaPets Magazine January 2021

10 TulsaPets • January/February 2021 TRIBUTE (1954-2020) FAITH ORLOWSKI- McMAHAN A Shining Example of Selfless Service in the Tulsa Animal Welfare Community T ulsa lost a champion in the fight for animal welfare issues with the recent passing of Faith Orlowski-McMahan. However, her impact on animals and the organizations dedi- cated to helping them will continue to inspire others for years to come. After earning her Juris Doctor from the Uni- versity of Texas School of Law in 1978, Faith be- came one of the first female attorneys hired by a major law firm in Tulsa when she was employed by Sneed Lang, PC. Most recently, she was as- sociated with Moyers Martin, LLP. She was also an adjunct professor at the University of Tulsa College of Law in the Master of Jurisprudence program. A well-respected attorney, she founded the Tulsa County Bar Association Animal Law Committee. Faith’s reputation as an animal rights activist was further evidenced by her vol- unteer activities as a board member on the Tulsa SPCA Board and a number of other animal rights and rescue organizations.  Greg McMahan, her son, says Faith never turned anyone away who sought her help and guidance. “If someone had a heart for helping animals, she would have done anything to help them be- cause that’s where her heart was as well,” he says. “When my family was ready to adopt a new pet, her Rolodex of rescues and people that helped animals was so tremendous because she has done so much for so many.” She may have even liked animals more than people most of the time, Greg jokes. “You don’t ever have to wonder if animals are going to love you; if you’re kind to them, they will be kind to you and give back so much more than you could give them,” he says. Similarly, like the animals she loved, Faith’s reputation was one of constant, reliable support. “Anybody that needed help with legal work, getting animals out of a bad situation, founding their nonprofit organizations, figuring out ways to help make them more efficient through taxes or other means—they could count on her,” Greg says. “There wasn’t anything she didn’t want to do for the furtherment of helping animals; she believed since they can’t help themselves, it’s our responsibility.” Mindy Tiner, Tulsa SPCA executive director, is one of those in the animal welfare community who will miss Faith’s amazing leadership and friendship. “The void left by Faith’s passing will be im- possible to fill,” Tiner says. “She cared immense- ly for animals and worked tirelessly to make sure their interests were represented. Faith was instrumental through her leadership, legal exper- tise and knowledge of animal welfare issues not just in the successes the Tulsa SPCA has seen but in those of so many other agencies and animal advocates as well. Both I and the Tulsa SPCA will forever be grateful she chose to share her time, her joyful spirit and her wisdom with us, but we will miss Faith enormously.” Beyond professional contributions, Faith’s dedication to animals was also hands-on. Any animal that crossed her path would be saved, Greg shares. “She was the person that religiously, always kept two bags of dog treats in her car,” Greg says. “If she came across a stray, she took it upon herself to get the animal to the owner or a safe place. There was not one she would simply drive by. It was who she was. “We’ve laughed and cried and everything else over the last few weeks, finding all of the pictures of all of her pets throughout the years. They are as well or more documented than the people in her life. She had every reverence and respect for relationships with pets, just like people. That’s what was important to her—the ability to help those in the animal community and the rescue community and give them one more chance at being successful.” And that is what Greg would like people to remember— Faith’s dedication to animals and to those who shared her dedication. “She truly would have done anything for anyone who asked her if it were in the further- ment of the cause. That’s as important as the animals themselves, the commitment she had to the people as well.” Mary Green (CPDT-KA), owner of K9 Man- ners & More in Broken Arrow and also a board member of the Tulsa SPCA, says she could always pick up the phone to get Faith’s advice or opinion. “Faith was generally behind the scenes, work- ing tirelessly for the animal rescue community,” Mary says. “She was a true champion of rescued animals and the people that help them. … Most of all, we will miss her laughter and joy.” In addition to animal welfare, Faith was active in other areas of community service. She served on the board of Emergency Infant Services, was a founding member of Executive Women’s Forum and a graduate of class 10 of Leadership Tulsa. Mindy adds, “While we know her legacy will live on forever with all who knew her, we hope the void left by her passing will inspire others to try and live up to the example of compassion and selfless service she set.” Anybody that needed help with legal work, getting animals out of a bad situation, founding their nonprofit organizations, figuring out ways to help make them more efficient through taxes or other means— they could count on her.