Florida Family Court Judge and former prosecutor Susan Aramony, of the 17th Judicial Circuit Court (Broward Circuit), passed away in her Fort Lauderdale home on Monday April 8, 2013.
Ms. Aramony graduated from Emory University School of Law in 1981 and went on to lead a successful career as a prosecutor. After graduation, Ms. Aramony served as a Broward County Assistant State Attorney for the Juvenile Division of Broward County. Prior to her appointment to the bench, Ms. Aramony had ascended to head of the Juvenile Division. During this time, Ms. Aramony operated as a member of the Gang Activity Prevention Advisory Board and as the chairwoman of the Juvenile Justice Board of Broward County.
After having served over 12 years in the Juvenile Division, Governor Jeb Bush appointed her as the Unified Family Court Judge of the 17th Circuit, Broward Circuit in December 1999, taking office the following January. Then-governor Jeb Bush explained his motivation in selecting Ms. Aramony, stating that “Susan’s hands-on experience as an assistant state attorney within Florida’s legal system has given her the knowledge and skills needed to do a tremendous job”. According to Bush, her experience in the juvenile system gave her the perspective to see the harmful effects crime has on the family unit and how to best be fair to the parties. In 2008, Ms. Aramony was re-elected as County Family Court Judge for an additional six year term.
Ms. Aramony’s reputation was renowned throughout the Florida family court system, and her thirteen year legacy on the bench has garnered admiration for her character and dedication. Chief Administrative Judge Peter Weinstein described Ms. Aramony as “one of the most caring, kind and concerned human beings I’ve ever known”. These views were shared by Broward County’s top defense attorneys and prosecutor, with State Attorney Mike Satz describing her as “a very good person who touched the lives of many, many people” and Public Defender Howard Finkelstein recounting that Ms. Aramony was “always fair, as a judge and as a prosecutor”.
Aramony’s family has expressed their wishes that cause of death not be disclosed but mentioned that she was home at rest with her husband and sons when she passed away. However, according to the Daily Business Review Broward affiliate, Ms. Aramony had suffered a long battle with cancer.
The service for Ms. Aramony will be held Saturday April 13 at 10:00 am at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Fort Lauderdale. A viewing is scheduled on Friday, April 12 from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Baird-Case Jordan Fannin Funeral Home, Fort Lauderdale.
The family has requested donations be made to charitable organizations in lieu of flowers.
The Law Office of Sandy T. Fox wishes to express its condolences to the family of Susan Aramony and applauds the careful, diligent, and compassionate legacy she has left those in the county with every life and family she has touched. Her actions, both judicially and personally, will live on and make a stronger community for tomorrow.