We mourn the loss of beloved and dedicated nurse and journalist Judi Kanne

July 30, 2021- We mourn the loss of nurse, journalist, and GNA Member Judith Kanne. She passed away peacefully surrounded by her family. 

"Judith (Judi) Leah Leonard Kanne was born January 4, 1943, in San Diego, California. A first generation American of Polish immigrants, Judi grew up in Southern California with many close friends and graduated from Crawford High School in 1960.

Judi wanted to complete her education and enrolled at William Rainey Harper Community College where she earned an Associates degree in Registered Nursing in 1975.

In 1981, Judi and family moved to Dunwoody, Georgia, outside of Atlanta. Judi took on various public health nursing roles. After sending two daughters off to college and still interested in furthering her own education, Judi enrolled in a program at Georgia State University and earned a Bachelor’s in Journalism in 1992. With this credential and a strong interest in learning and telling other people’s stories, Judi focused her career on medical writing, working primarily for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as a contracted communications specialist.

A lifelong learner, Judi again returned to the Georgia State system, earning a second Bachelor’s degree from Clayton State in 2012, this time in nursing, to update her medical credentials and be more current on clinical information. At age 69, she was the oldest graduate at the Clayton State University College of Nursing in their history, and her family proudly watched her cross the stage to claim her new diploma.

In addition to her husband Barry, Judi is survived by daughters Karen Kanne Ngowe and April Kanne Donnellan, son-in-law Paul Donnellan, grandchildren Athieno and Yosef Ngowe, and Claire and Sophie Donnellan.

In lieu of flowers please consider contributions to the Lewy Body Dementia Association or the Georgia Nurses Association."