Judy Louise Bahnson

Judy Louise Bahnson, 74, passed away peacefully in her home on Friday, November 22, 2024 after a truly brave and gracious battle with cancer. Born on July 29, 1950 in Waco, TX, Judy spent her formative years in Japan, fostering a lifelong love of international cuisine and exploration. She travelled extensively throughout her life, ultimately making her home in Advance, North Carolina, where she created a space of beauty and warmth.

Judy graduated from Salem College in 1987 and pursued graduate studies at North Carolina State University. In 1986, she joined the Wake Forest University School of Medicine, where she made significant contributions first in oncology and later in public health sciences. Over her distinguished career, she held leadership roles in numerous groundbreaking clinical trials and collaborated with hundreds of investigators across the nation. Her work, reflected in over 100 biomedical publications, advanced understanding and treatment of diabetes, hypertension, obesity, and cancer prevention. She continued conducting medical research until her cancer diagnosis and retirement in 2023. In 2024 she was honored by the Wake Forest University Division of Public Health Sciences Mentoring Award for her decades-long commitment to mentoring early-career faculty and staff.

Judy was passionate about so much, gardening, pottery, cooking, reading, politics, and, most of all, the company of her cherished family and friends—especially her beloved granddaughters, Rye and Lou. A marvelous gardener, Judy shared her artful flower arrangements displayed in her wondrous pottery creations with friends, colleagues, and neighbors. Hosting so many dinners in her eloquent dining room, her garden pergola, or her deck porch, Judy would gather together diverse groups of people and spark enduring friendships. Guests never left without treasures—leftovers, pottery, book recommendations, vegetables and flowers from her garden, and fond memories of her generosity, wit, and warmth.

Judy is survived by her two sons, Jimmy Bozarth and Tee Bahnson, and her two granddaughters, Rye and Lou Bahnson. She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Ted Bahnson. Judy leaves behind a legacy of kindness, creativity, and dedication to making the world a better place, both through her work and her loving relationships.

The family warmly invites all who knew and loved Judy to gather for a Celebration of Life to be held on Saturday, November 30th from 5:00 to 8:00 at the WinMock Barn at Kinderton, 168 E. Kinderton Way, Bermuda Run. True to Judy’s vibrant spirit, we ask guests to dress in cheerful colors—bold, bright, and beautiful—because this is a celebration, not a farewell. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to:

• The Sawtooth School for Visual Arts, 251 N. Spruce Street, Winston-Salem, 27101 
• Salem College, Martha H. Fleer Center for Adult Education, 601 S. Church St., 27101 
• WSSU Math and Stat Club Foundation, 601 S. Martin Luther King Jr Drive, Winston-Salem, NC 27110
• Friends of Reynolda Gardens, 100 Reynolda Village Winston-Salem, NC 27106

The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to friends, neighbors, hospice, and healthcare workers who provided exceptional care and support to Judy during her illness.