Just days before Angela McCaffrey, 60, died of ovarian cancer, her biggest concern was who was going to take over her classes at Hamline University Law School, where she had taught for 25 years and was director of clinics offering students practical experience in litigation, mediation and client counseling.

That didn't surprise those who knew her, because McCaffrey spent her life looking out for others, whether they were family, students or the scores of immigrants and refugees she helped gain citizenship when she and students from the St. Paul law school spent five years crafting legislation that eventually led to the Hmong Veterans' Naturalization Act of 2000. The law waived the English language requirement for some refugees from Laos applying for naturalization.

McCaffrey died Jan. 27 at her home in St. Paul.

"She had unparalleled concern for others and brought a spark of inspiration to anybody she worked with," said Marie Failinger, associate dean of Hamline Law School. "She not only was a caring and careful clinical teacher, but she taught students the importance and value of professionalism and to listening to clients."

McCaffrey knew full well the challenges that refugees with limited English faced. Her mother was a refugee who made her way to Decorah, Iowa, from Nazi Germany during World War II. McCaffrey, who grew up in Decorah, graduated from the University of Iowa. She taught fifth grade for one year, then went to St. Paul, where she earned a degree from William Mitchell College of Law in 1978.

Aiming to help the poor and homeless, she worked as an attorney and director of Legal Aid Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services for seven years before arriving at Hamline in 1985. She established the clinical program at Hamline that allows students to apply the law in real cases.

In one case, students worked for nearly a decade to help a Haitian refugee escape his war-torn country and be reunited with his grandparents in the United States. Westenley Alcenat will graduate this spring from Macalester College.

"She worked hard for justice and on behalf of immigrants, refugees and poor people," said Ann Juergens, a professor at William Mitchell, where McCaffery once was an adjunct professor. "Angie was a patient person, but she was very persistent."

Hamline has established the Angela McCaffrey Public Law Scholarship for students who demonstrate a commitment to practice in the public sector.

In addition to her husband, Hennepin County public defender Mark Cosimini, she is survived by two sons, Charlie and Michael, both of St. Paul, and four brothers, Pete, Dan, Jim and Pat, all of Decorah. Services have been held.