Ruth Ann Mandell, 54, of Cherry Hill, passionate public defender

For Camden County public defender Ruth Ann Mandell of Cherry Hill, her death came much like her life: complicated, a bit unpredictable, yet decisive.

In her legal career, she was not afraid to stand up to her boss or defy a judge.

Outside court, she aspired to be the "first white Jewish female rapper," and wrote lyrics that celebrated the work of Jack Kevorkian, champion of physician-assisted suicide.

Ms. Mandell practiced law and performed rap until March 20, when doctors discovered ovarian cancer that her brother Herbert said hit her like a "sledgehammer."

On Tuesday, April 9, she woke from a long sleep with loved ones at her side at Virtua Hospital in Voorhees. Mandell thought she uttered that she had seen the light. Smiling, she quietly died, at 54, with a hand on her Bible.

"She had this incredible light in her eyes," her brother recalled. "I do believe it was her vestige before she went on to the next realm."

Ms. Mandell was born in Philadelphia and raised in Deptford. She earned a psychology degree from Rutgers University and graduated from New York Law School.

Ms. Mandell became a public defender in 1989, working in Cumberland and Salem Counties before moving to Camden in 1996.

She was a memorable figure in Camden County's Hall of Justice with her long, blond hair, a flowered skirt flowing with her stride, and a polka-dot suitcase used to carry documents.

Camden County Deputy Public Defender Harold Katz described Mandell as a committed employee who would challenge him when she thought she was right.

Pamela Grayson-Baltimore, a social worker with the Public Defender's Office, recalled Ms. Mandell's tenacity and theatrics: "She just was amazing. She fought tooth and nail for the underdog."

"She was passionate for what she did, and, in my opinion, was one of the best," Grayson-Baltimore said.

Ms. Mandell was married twice and had no children. She was passionate about helping juvenile offenders because "she had a big heart and it wasn't always about money," Grayson-Baltimore said.

Ms. Mandell's 1990 standoff with a state judge while defending a drug dealer is well documented.

Superior Court Judge D. Donald Palese wanted to know whether the defendant would testify.

But Ms. Mandell did not have to disclose that decision until prosecutors finished presenting evidence at trial, she tried to tell the judge.

Palese fined her $100 for contempt for failing to answer his question. In a heated exchange, she claimed attorney-client privilege. The judge added another $100 each time she refused to answer.

"You're going up to $600 in contempt at this time, Ms. Mandell," the judge roared.

The trial ended with a hung jury. The defendant later entered a plea in exchange for a year in prison followed by four years of probation.

Later, Ms. Mandell successfully appealed the contempt charge. The case set a precedent in New Jersey.

In another famous case, Ms. Mandell represented Llewelyn James, convicted in 2002 of killing six people during a violent two-day spree when he was 16. He was sentenced to 315 years.

Social worker Patricia Anderson-Alicea, also with the Public Defender's Office, said Ms. Mandell had a unique passion and worked hard to keep children with their families, out of detention, and get them appropriate counseling and resources.

Ms. Mandell used her music to raise social awareness and money for charity. She was an animal activist and supported Kulanu, an organization that provides services for emerging Jewish communities in Africa, Asia, and the Americas.

Herbert Mandell said that after watching her mother's decline to brain cancer in 2000, Ms. Mandell recorded a video, posted on YouTube, about Kevorkian's work.

"That was Ruthy's plea for people who were terminally ill, that they should be able to do whatever makes sense to keep them comfortable," he said.

The rap received mixed reviews online. She responded two years ago to a post about the merits of dying with family present: "The whole idea is that that person is as comfortable as possible as the soul passes to the next realm."

In addition to her brother, she is survived by another brother, Paul.

Visitation will be at 2 p.m. Sunday, April 14, with a service to follow, at Platt Memorial Chapels, 2001 Berlin Rd., Cherry Hill.

The family has created the Ruth Ann Mandell Memorial Scholarship Fund to provide money for additional education for those in transition and trying to start fresh in life. Donations may be sent to the Newfield National Bank, Little Mill Road Office, 18 Southwest Blvd., Newfield, N.J. 08344.