Liz Whipple, a guiding force in the Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation’s domestic violence program for five years, died unexpectedly on Friday at age 41.

“Everyone who knew her is heartsick,” said AVLF’s executive director, Marty Ellin. “Everybody who ever works for AVLF is family, but Liz was right in the middle of the family. She was creative and playful and quirky—she lit up wherever she went.”