Latifa Ring, a Houston woman who advocated for elderly citizens swept up in guardianship cases, has died after a lengthy illness. She was 59.
“She had more love in one little finger than some people have in their whole bodies,” said Dorothy Luck, a Fort Worth woman who, with Ring’s help, was able to battle herself out of guardianship case that had been thrust upon her by a Tarrant County probate court judge.
Ring became a guardianship activist after discovering that some probate judges in Texas and across the country abuse their powers to take over the lives of elderly people. Once under guardianship, clients are essentially powerless to do anything as attorneys, counselors, bankers, and others starting emptying their bank accounts.
Ring spent many hours looking into Luck’s problems, making countless phone calls and even driving from Houston to Fort Worth for visits. She also flew to Washington D.C. on her own dime to advocate. Luck still isn’t sure how Ring heard about her case.
“All of a sudden, like an angel, she was here,” Luck said. “She was championing [her cause] and trying to help everybody. She deserves a lot.”
Ring had read some of my previous stories and called one day to ask me to write about Luck. I was swamped with work and had already published several guardianship stories and wasn’t looking to do another anytime soon.
“We’re the Fort Worth Weekly, not the Guardianship Weekly,” I recall telling her.
Ring wouldn’t let me off the hook that easily. She kept calling, feeding me bits of information, trying to hook me. She never demanded anything, never got angry at me. She was smart, devoted to her cause, persistent, and easy to talk to. Eventually I could no longer refuse her.
I’m glad she stayed on me.
After the story on Luck was published, a probate judge removed the guardianship.
Ring mentioned her illness back then, but briefly. I’m not even sure what ailment she suffered from. She rarely discussed her problems, only those of Luck and others that she was trying to help. Ring spent most of her life helping others. She grew up in an orphanage in Morocco. Because she was older than most of the other children, she served as a de-facto caretaker.
It’s a role she never relinquished.
Family and friends will celebrate her life at 2 p.m. Saturday at Klein Funeral Home Chapel, 9719 Wortham Blvd., in Houston.
R.I.P Latifa you will be so missed. You are loved by many. Now you can take our cause straight to the higher power. The real judge of humanity.
Latifa had one of the most colorful and fascinating personal histories I have ever encountered going back to a Christian mission in North Africa where she was an orphan, which led to her passionate interest in the elderly. Somehow her brilliance in the midst of want led to a scholarship to Bryn Mawr and a trip to the US. Someone should really write a book about her life. It would be a page-turner.
I worked with her for several years on her projects and attended a hearing she organized in Washington to try to raise awareness about the issue of guardianship abuse. Unfortunately, it is one of those issues that runs counter to the elite’s and cannot be dealt with, because there is so much greed and self-interest disguised as benevolence, as so many issues are today. But she was undaunted. I was on the phone with her several times a day in those years.
I didn’t hear from her for a few years after we lost touch until one night she called out of the blue saying she had cancer and was trying to heal by making her peace with God and her lost friends. She will always be well-regarded and much missed. God speed, Latifa.
WE were so sorry to hear of her passing for many reasons. WE also had hoped that she would have had some info for us. Our family has uncovered and has been fighting this corruption in upstate NY for over 6 years. The change.org will be updated soon. It is much worse than what you will read on the present http://www.change.org search: vosilla.
We are part of the documentary ISOLATED. The trailer premiered April1, 2016@ the Villa Vosilla & available for viewing. Kerri Kasem, daughter of Casey Kasem also held an event @ the Villa. IF you or anyone you know can help our family PLEASE contact. The corruption we have uncovered is astounding. They are now retaliating & trying to take our 54 yr. 4 generation family business. WE have been unable to hold the court accountable. An attorney, his wife,his son the now Saratoga ADA and other conspirators involved. Deaf ear and blind eye from the Ethics and AG Offices. Please Please do contact us if you know anyone that can help us or get it to press.
Thank you!
She was an inspiration to so many & will never be forgotten for her plight was not for her it was for others. Rest peacefully Latifa Ring. You touched a very special place in my heart.
What a beautiful human being.
Latifa, I wish that I had known you better.
Thank you for all of your work.
Margaret Dore
Latifa was a woman of enormous integrity, endless energy to commit to righting the wrongs of the world, and unlimited empathy for those in need. I feel privileged to have been her friend. She will be missed.
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