Here is the text of her obituary:
Anne Jayne
June 6, 1947 – November 19, 2024
Anne Jayne passed away on Tuesday, November 19, 2024, at the Foothills Medical Centre in Calgary, Alberta, after a brief illness. Her son, Justin, was at her side, reading to her from the mystery novels she loved as the music of Leonard Cohen played softly in the background.
Born on June 6, 1947, at Bolling Air Force Base in Washington, D.C., Anne was the daughter of Harriet (née McGlocklin) and Henry Jayne, and the younger sister of Steven Jayne. As a child, Anne’s family moved frequently due to her father’s service in the U.S. Air Force, but her most vivid childhood memories were from the years spent on Malmstrom Air Force Base near Great Falls, Montana. In 1961, her family settled in Newport News, Virginia, where Anne excelled in academics and carried on the family tradition of excellence in marksmanship, winning state and regional championships in smallbore rifle shooting.
Anne’s love of learning earned her a full-ride scholarship to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where she graduated with high honors, earning a B.A. in Liberal Arts with Distinction in Sociology, followed by an M.A. in Sociology, all within the four years allocated by her scholarship. While at UIUC, she met Ralph Premdas, a Ph.D. student from Guyana. They married in 1967 and moved to Berkeley, California, in 1970, where Anne pursued a J.D. at Boalt Hall School of Law. Her graduation was delayed by the birth of their son, Justin, but she completed her degree and passed the California bar in 1974.
In 1975, Anne, Ralph, and Justin moved across the world, where she and Ralph joined the faculty at the University of Papua New Guinea. Anne became an advocate for Papua New Guinean women, particularly the first generation of women admitted to UPNG. In a 1977 article, she critiqued systemic inequalities and offered a fiery call for justice, challenging readers to listen to the voices of oppressed women. Her activism and writing from this period reflected her lifelong belief in grassroots engagement to achieve meaningful social change.
After separating from Ralph, Anne relocated with Justin to Guam, where she was admitted to the bar, and then to Calgary, Alberta, in 1980. In Calgary, she undertook an appointment as a professor of Human Rights Law at the University of Calgary, specializing in the rights of refugee children. She later became the Executive Director of the Alberta Civil Liberties Research Centre, where she tirelessly championed immigrant and refugee rights. There, she found particular meaning helping survivors of torture overcome past trauma and find safe harbor in Canada. Anne also served on the board of the Canadian chapter of Amnesty International, contributing to her lifelong mission of advancing human rights.
Anne and Justin shared a love of knowledge and competition, exemplified by their participation in Calgary’s radio trivia contests before the internet era. They would dive into encyclopedias and reference books to answer questions, often emerging victorious as a team.
Anne’s intellectual rigor and moral clarity shone through her work and her life. She co-authored influential papers advocating for a justice-oriented approach to evidence and legal procedures, emphasizing the importance of cultural sensitivity and practical solutions over rigid adherence to tradition. Her commitment to peace and social justice animated her and led to many spirited conversations, in particular with her son and brother, Steven.
In retirement, Anne focused her advocacy on the realms of intellectual freedom and environmental justice. She volunteered annually for Calgary’s Freedom to Read Week and wrote extensively on censorship issues, including critiques of Alberta’s laws limiting classroom discussions of sexual orientation and university policies on social media. Her nuanced articles called for balancing competing rights through thoughtful dialogue and emphasized the importance of protecting freedom of expression as a cornerstone of democracy.
Anne also reawakened her love of travel in retirement, making solo expeditions to Europe well into her seventies. She became deeply involved in the Leonard Cohen fan community, helping to organize the inaugural Leonard Cohen Event in Montreal in 2000, which drew participants from around the world and established a tradition of biennial gatherings.
A lifelong pacifist, Anne found comfort in the teachings of the Quakers and Tibetan Buddhism, embracing paths that championed peace and individual dignity. She also adopted a vegan lifestyle, driven by her ethical convictions.
Anne’s later years were enriched by her love for the music of Leonard Cohen, her work at the Owl’s Nest bookstore, and her passion for literature. She maintained a vast personal library, wrote fiction, completed a second B.A. in English from the University of Calgary, and was beginning a third in cultural anthropology before the pandemic interrupted her studies. As a grandmother, she adored sharing her love of books and solving puzzles with her grandchildren, Thea and Amos, and found immense joy in their company.
Anne is survived by her son, Justin; her daughter-in-law, Kelly; her brother, Steven; and her beloved grandchildren, Thea and Amos. She leaves behind a legacy of fierce intellect, fearless advocacy, and an unyielding commitment to justice that touched countless lives and will inspire all who knew her.
A Memorial Service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Canadian Friends Service Committee, whose work in peace and social justice were the causes Anne dedicated her life to advancing.
To view and share photos, condolences and memories of Anne with the family, please visit
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Mostly good stuff, when it comes to you. Those Newsgroup days were especially memorable, though, weren't they? . 
