Judy Ann Kane

Judy Ann (Mertz) Kane, 68, of Lehighton, passed away peacefully at home on, December 23, 2023, surrounded by her family. After living the gift of a 2012 double lung transplant to the fullest, she showed her characteristic strength and courage through the final days of her two-year battle with organ transplant rejection.

Born on December 14, 1955, in Lehighton, she was the daughter of the late Franklin D. and Shriley F. (Blose) Mertz.

Judy was a 1973 graduate of Lehighton Area High School and a graduate of Lehigh Carbon Community College. She was most recently employed as a secretary at Ebenezer E.C. Church in Jim Thorpe. Judy enjoyed family vacations, walking, skydiving, attending concerts, and spending time with her family and friends.

Judy will be dearly missed by her three children, Heather Ginder and husband, Donald, of Lehighton, Adam Koch and husband, Matthew Koerner, of New York City, and Jade Andrew and husband, Devin, of South Carolina; brother, Frank Mertz and wife, Tammy, of Lehighton, and sister, Kathy Moyer and husband, Scott, of Lehighton; four grandchildren, Haley, Abby, Peyton, and Ally; nieces and nephews, Josh, Julie, Cody, Mitch, and Klarissa; grandnephew, Bennett; as well as close friends.

Judy wanted to express her sincere gratitude and heartfelt thanks to her organ donor hero and donor family, Dr. James Lee, Melissa Burke, MSN, CRNP, Penn Lung Transplant Team, Gift of Life, Gift of Life House, Dr. Brian Burlew, Dr. Richard Lizak and staff, St. Luke’s Hospice, Ebenezer E. C. Church, Jim Thorpe, her family and friends, and Connell Funeral Home, Inc., Bethlehem.

A visitation for family and friends will be held on Saturday, December 30, 2023, from 10-11:00 a.m. at Ebenezer E.C. Church, 441 Center Ave., Jim Thorpe, PA 18229 with a celebration of Judy’s life beginning at 11 a.m. in the church.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be donated to Gift of Life Howie’s House, https://giftoflifehowieshouse.org and The Governor Robert P. Casey Memorial Organ and Tissue Donation Awareness Trust Fund, https://donatelifepa.org.

Online condolences may be offered at www.connellfuneral.com.