1940
Judith
2025
Judith Lanning
October 20, 1940 — May 1, 2025
Judith Ann (Medley) Lanning, 84, passed away peacefully early Thursday morning, May 1, 2025, at her home.
She was born October 20, 1940 in Louisville, Kentucky, the daughter of a skilled stone mason, George B. Medley and mother, Mary Bickett Medley. Judy grew up surrounded by the values of hard work, creativity, and quiet strength. After graduating from high school in 1958, she pursued higher education at Spalding College in Louisville, where she majored in Dietetics, beginning a lifelong commitment to education and service.
On August22, 1964, she married the love of her life, David, who survives. Together they built a home full of warmth, faith, and devotion, where friends were always welcomed, especially at their Kentucky Derby parties. They raised three sons – Michael (Tracy) of Chillicothe, Robert (Barbara) of Louisville, and Stephen (Michele) of Washington D.C., whom she cherished deeply.
Her passion for teaching emerged early as she volunteered in the CCD programs at St. Peter and St. Mary parishes. That passion continued to grow as she worked as a school library assistant with the Chillicothe Ross County Library at McArthur Elementary, after obtaining her Library Science degree from Ohio Dominican University she was then the librarian at Bishop Flaget Schools and then later at Smith Middle School from where she retired. It was during this time that she discovered her true calling in teaching.
A resilient and courageous woman, she was a 34-year survivor of thyroid cancer, a 26-year survivor of breast cancer, and a 10-year survivor of skin cancer. For 25 years, she contributed her time and heart to the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life where she helped others navigate journeys she knew all too well.
Her love of nature and its beauty led her to join the Chillicothe Garden Club, where she nurtured not only flowers but friendships that blossomed just as brightly. She was also a member of Century Club and P.E.O. (Philanthropic Educational Organization), reflecting her enduring commitment to the empowerment and education of women.
To her family, she was more than just a list of achievements – she was a source of constant love, wisdom, and support. Her kindness, selflessness, and generosity uplifted many throughout the years, especially during times of need. Her legacy shines most clearly through her grandchildren – Paige (Robbie), Maddi, Emma (Holden), Lilly, and Reagan and great-granddaughter Lurena – who carry forward the lessons of compassion and grace that she lived each day.
She was a grand lady, devoted wife, a loving mother, and a proud grand and great-grandmother, and a treasured friend.
She was and will remain, deeply loved and profoundly missed.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 AM, Friday May 9, at St. Mary Catholic Church, 61 S. Paint St. Burial will follow in St. Margaret Cemetery. The family will receive friends Thursday, May 8, from 2:00 until 7:00 with a wake service to follow at Haller Funeral & Crematory.
She was born October 20, 1940 in Louisville, Kentucky, the daughter of a skilled stone mason, George B. Medley and mother, Mary Bickett Medley. Judy grew up surrounded by the values of hard work, creativity, and quiet strength. After graduating from high school in 1958, she pursued higher education at Spalding College in Louisville, where she majored in Dietetics, beginning a lifelong commitment to education and service.
On August22, 1964, she married the love of her life, David, who survives. Together they built a home full of warmth, faith, and devotion, where friends were always welcomed, especially at their Kentucky Derby parties. They raised three sons – Michael (Tracy) of Chillicothe, Robert (Barbara) of Louisville, and Stephen (Michele) of Washington D.C., whom she cherished deeply.
Her passion for teaching emerged early as she volunteered in the CCD programs at St. Peter and St. Mary parishes. That passion continued to grow as she worked as a school library assistant with the Chillicothe Ross County Library at McArthur Elementary, after obtaining her Library Science degree from Ohio Dominican University she was then the librarian at Bishop Flaget Schools and then later at Smith Middle School from where she retired. It was during this time that she discovered her true calling in teaching.
A resilient and courageous woman, she was a 34-year survivor of thyroid cancer, a 26-year survivor of breast cancer, and a 10-year survivor of skin cancer. For 25 years, she contributed her time and heart to the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life where she helped others navigate journeys she knew all too well.
Her love of nature and its beauty led her to join the Chillicothe Garden Club, where she nurtured not only flowers but friendships that blossomed just as brightly. She was also a member of Century Club and P.E.O. (Philanthropic Educational Organization), reflecting her enduring commitment to the empowerment and education of women.
To her family, she was more than just a list of achievements – she was a source of constant love, wisdom, and support. Her kindness, selflessness, and generosity uplifted many throughout the years, especially during times of need. Her legacy shines most clearly through her grandchildren – Paige (Robbie), Maddi, Emma (Holden), Lilly, and Reagan and great-granddaughter Lurena – who carry forward the lessons of compassion and grace that she lived each day.
She was a grand lady, devoted wife, a loving mother, and a proud grand and great-grandmother, and a treasured friend.
She was and will remain, deeply loved and profoundly missed.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 AM, Friday May 9, at St. Mary Catholic Church, 61 S. Paint St. Burial will follow in St. Margaret Cemetery. The family will receive friends Thursday, May 8, from 2:00 until 7:00 with a wake service to follow at Haller Funeral & Crematory.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Judith Lanning, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Visitation
Haller Funeral Home & Crematory
Service
St. Mary Catholic Church
Guestbook
Visits: 0
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors