Judy Arlene Zahnow

Judy Arlene Zahnow, 87, of Wilmington, DE died peacefully at home on September 26, 2025 after an extended illness.

She was born in Seattle, WA in 1938 to Norman and Helen Nygard, and was the oldest of 4 children.  Judy recalls starting her faith journey as a young child when a neighbor took her to the local Baptist church.  Later her father told her that she should attend the Norwegian Lutheran church, as he wanted her to be baptized and confirmed in that faith tradition.  She was an active youth group member attending summer Bible camps, youth conventions, and participating in other activities to include youth caravans that would visit churches in the Midwest.  She considered her pastor to be a tremendous mentor.

Judy graduated from Roosevelt H.S. in Seattle, WA in 1956, and served as the yearbook editor.  She then attended nursing school at Emanuel Hospital in Portland, OR and graduated in 1959.   She remained close friends with several of her classmates over the years.

She returned to Seattle and met Ed, her future husband, at church.  They joked over the years about which one of them was scooting down the pew towards the other one the first time they met.  They enjoyed hiking in state and national parks in the Northwest, and got engaged at Camp Lutherhaven in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho where Judy had worked for several summers as a teen (kitchen help) and young adult (camp nurse).

After marriage in 1960, they moved to southern California for a year and then crossed the country to Delaware.  Those initial years were focused on raising a family, although she noted that her nursing background and interest in health education/promotion prompted her to volunteer with various groups to include the American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, American Red Cross, Girl Scouts, Planned Parenthood, Head Start, and the PTA.  She was especially proud to be part of the group of nurses that started a clinic that later became Westside Health, serving those communities in Wilmington that had limited access to health care.  She also became a fierce advocate for smoking cessation, plus tobacco and drug prevention programs for children.

Her nursing career included positions with an iron lung unit for young teen and adult men, a labor and delivery unit, an outpatient methadone clinic, and then 22 years as a school nurse at various locations in the former Mount Pleasant (now Brandywine) and Wilmington (now Red Clay) school districts.  She returned to school and earned a B.S. in Education in1977 from Millersville State College.   She was a member of the Delaware School Nurses Association and served as the legislative chairperson for several years.  Judy was honored to be selected as the Delaware School Nurse of the Year in 1994.

Judy and Ed were active members at St. Mark’s and Concordia Lutheran churches over the decades, and Judy served as a member of the choir, Sunday school teacher, youth group advisor, Bethel Bible class instructor, Emmanuel Dining Room volunteer, and Lutheran Volunteer Corp mentor.

They enjoyed traveling with family to include beach trips, camping, cross-country adventures to visit national parks and West Coast relatives, and later as a couple to Europe, Australia, and Canada.  Long-time friends and neighbors were an important part of their lives, and they took daily walks and made weekly trips to the library.  A good game of bridge was always a welcome activity.

Judy will be best remembered for her selflessness in always helping others and putting their needs before her own as well as her love of singing her favorite hymns.

Judy was widowed in 2022.  She is survived by her children, Karen (Larry) Hall, Anne (Tim) Belski, Curt (Karen) Zahnow; her grandchildren, Kristina (Bradley) Lewis, Eric (Paige Kendell) Belski, Elaine Zahnow, Kyle Zahnow; and her great grandchildren, Theodore and Cecilia Lewis.  She also leaves behind her sisters, Vicki and Linda; her brother-in-law and his wife, Eugene and Judy; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and their families.  Judy was predeceased by her brother, Scott.

Ed and Judy always supported charities close to their hearts, so if anyone is inclined to consider a remembrance please do so with a charity of your choice.  The family would especially like to acknowledge and thank the staff at Rockland Place, Bayada, and Compassionate Care Hospice for their care and support during these past years.

Funeral services will be private.