Slain physician Elana Fric-Shamji had potential to be a 'great leader'

Slain Toronto physician Elana Fric-Shamji was a "shining star" on track for a leadership role in the medical field, her boss told CBC News.

• A physician killed, her neurosurgeon husband charged with murder: 'How could this all happen?'

Wearing a purple ribbon to honour victims of domestic violence, Dr. Larry Erlick, medical director of family medicine at The Scarborough Hospital, saidFric-Shamji was a "first-class family doctor" adored by both her patients and her co-workers.

"She was fantastic she had that fire and potential to be a great leader,"Erlicksaid. "She was someone to model. She was always upbeat and always made people feel happy."

Erlick, whorecruited Fric-Shamji last year, saidthatshe was as devoted to medicalpolicy as she was to her practice, especially withissues surrounding health care for women, the underprivileged and refugees.

Fric-Shamjiwas also a respected member of the Ontario Medical Association's policy committee. She earned her medical degree from the University of Ottawa and latergraduated from Duke University's master's degree program in public policy.

• Ontario Medical Association hopes to honour slain physician Elana Fric-Shamji

"Her future was bright," Erlicksaid, "I was grooming her to be another leader, maybe replace me."

Husband charged

Last Thursday, Fric-Shamji's remains were found in a suitcase outside of Vaughan, Ont. Toronto police have charged her husband, Mohammed Shamji, with first-degree murder.

• Toronto neurosurgeon Mohammed Shamji, 40, charged with murder in death of physician wife

Shamji, 40, is a world-renowned neurosurgeon. He madea brief court appearance on Saturday and has been returned to police custody. Although Fric-Shamji's friends and family have said the pair were having marital difficulties andthere was an abusive relationship, none of that has been proved in court.

According to family and friends, the couple's marriage was in trouble and Fric-Shamji had filed for divorce.

"She discussed things with me. There were issues," Erlicksaid. "I know why, but that's all I want to say about the matter."

At Fric-Shamji's office at The Scarborough Hospital, staff wore purple ribbons on Monday.

Mother of 3 young children

Erlick called Fric-Shamji a dedicated mother.

"She took them to school, picked them up ... bathed them at night. [She] looked after the house and them," he said.

The doctor'sthree young children are in the care of a grandparent, her boss said.

Fric-Shamji's sister,Carolina Lekic,called her"a nurturing mother" who was always involvedin her children's activities despite the demands of her work.

Growing up, Fric-Shamji was more of a bookworm, dedicated to school and to running, Lekic said. She became a lively woman, however, someone who was "smart, funny" and beloved by those in her circle of family and friends.

Those were amongthe things her family will pass on toFric-Shamji's children, Lekic said.

"Through these kids, we see her," she said. "So there's definitely always going to be the love and caring that my sister would want us to see carry throughout their lives."