Judith Jean Kane

Judith “Judy” Jean (Chapman) Kane passed away Friday, September 2, 2022 in Roswell, GA at the age of 83. She was born February 18, 1939 in Chicago, Illinois to Bertram and Helen Chapman, the eldest of three children. She graduated from St. Gabriel High School in New Rochelle, New York, and attended Marjorie Webster Junior College in Washington, D.C. then Oglethorpe University in Atlanta, Georgia.

Judy met the love of her life, Joseph Kane, while they both were working at TIME Magazine, and they were married in 1963 in Scarsdale, NY. Shortly thereafter they relocated to Detroit, Michigan where they remained for five years and welcomed their first two sons, Christopher and Gregory. Over the next two decades, Judy and Joe found themselves moving frequently around the United States - a result of Joe’s work as a correspondent for TIME Magazine. From Miami to Atlanta (or “Atlanta One,” as the family referred to their first move as) where son Timothy was born, to Northern Virginia, where Jason came along then onto Los Angeles, Judy remained steadfast in her love and support for her husband and children before eventually settling back in Atlanta (“Atlanta Two”) in 1985.

An active participant in her four son’s lives as a Den Mother for their Cub Scout activities, Team Mother in their baseball, soccer and basketball playing in their early and high school years before she decided to return to academia.

In 1986 Judy began taking courses at Dekalb County Community College, and upon her graduation she received a full academic scholarship to Oglethorpe University. She completed her Bachelor of Arts degree in Early Childhood Education at Oglethorpe in 1990 at the age of 51 and launched a 23-year-long career as a well-respected substitute teacher in the Atlanta area.

Judy was devout in her Catholic faith, involved in programs at her church and charitable activities in her community. Judy was an active member of the Dunwoody Woman’s Club for many years, and she enjoyed representing their Conservation Program at holiday toy drives and events in support of schools, teachers, and community first responders. Judy and Joe were regular volunteers during election season, assisting with the logistics of voting day; and they enjoyed helping with the Dunwoody Fourth of July Parade each year. She was an enthusiastic reader of books of all kinds. She made lifelong friendships through bridge club and other activities. Judy was a faithful friend, still keeping regular correspondence with friends of nearly 50 years.

Perhaps one of the greatest joys of Judy’s life was her role as grandma (or “G’ma”), to her four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Her home was filled with children’s books, craft supplies, and stuffed animals, much to the delight of her grandchildren, who were all raised in the Seattle, WA area. She doted upon them during their visits to Atlanta, introducing them to Snapple Peach Iced Tea, weekend garage sales, knox blox, and Cracker Barrel. Judy was sure to have playdates with neighborhood kids lined up as well as trips to the local pool, department stores, and restaurants.

Joe and Judy also made an annual trip from Atlanta to the Pacific Northwest, often via car, taking their time exploring the United States, bringing souvenirs and stories of their travels to their grandkids. Judy enjoyed collecting unique toys and dolls for her grandchildren from her travels all over the world, as she and Joe were frequent travelers to Europe and Asia. A decade of Spring Break holidays was spent with the entire family reunited in various cities along the east coast - Orlando, Jacksonville, Amelia Island, and Destin, Florida. In between visits, Judy was sure to send a card or package for nearly every occasion, signed in her beautiful script, "Love G’ma Judy and Papa Joe."

Judy was a loving sister to Doug and Martha, and a beloved aunt and godmother to many. She could recount with ease the names, birthdates, spouses, jobs, and children of all her nieces and nephews. She is remembered by all as fun-loving, thoughtful, determined, and lovely, with a soft-spoken wit and charm.

Judy is survived by her four sons, Christopher Thomas (and Susan) of Seattle, WA; Gregory Marquis, Joseph Timothy (and beloved Jenny Lammers Johnson), and Jason Philip of Atlanta, GA; grandchildren Shannon Marie, Melissa Anne, Kristen Judith, and Jonathon Joseph; great-grandchildren Sofia Rose and Vivian Kane; her brother Douglas M. of Albuquerque, NM.

She was preceded in death by her husband of nearly 60 years, Joseph John Kane just one year prior, as well as her sister Martha Jane Chapman and her parents, Bertram and Helen.

A Funeral Mass will be held Friday September 23, 2022 at 2 o'clock at All Saints Catholic Church in Dunwoody, GA.