U.S. District Magistrate Judge Marilyn Heffley of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, who died Thursday following a battle with cancer, was a dedicated judge and an inspirational member of the legal community, according to friends and colleagues.

“It’s a huge loss. Not only was she a great judge, but she was a humble, kind, compassionate person,” former Magistrate Judge Timothy Rice said. “She was everything you would look for in somebody you’d want handling your case.”