Gardenia Louise Thurman

Gardenia (Denia) Louise Thurman of Woodstock, GA passed away at home surrounded by

family on Wednesday, July 31, 2024 on her 56th birthday.

Gardenia was born in Pago Pago, American Samoa on July 31, 1968. At age four Gardenia and

her parents Usitai and George Thurman moved to State College, Pennsylvania. Growing up,

Gardenia enjoyed playing the piano and volleyball. She graduated from the State College Area

High School in 1986.

Gardenia spent time living in Orlando, FL, Chattanooga, TN, Raleigh, NC, and moved to

Atlanta, GA in 2008 to be close to her parents and siblings. Gardenia was proud of her Samoan

heritage and loved meeting people through the group, Atlanta Aiga.

Gardenia’s passions were helping and connecting with people and she devoted countless hours

doing so in both her personal and professional life. She was the ultimate event organizer. From

decorations, to the menu and entertainment, Gardenia was the go to person for family luaus.

She would travel far and wide to be at events to celebrate loved ones. Nothing made her

happier than being with family. She always showed up for her people.

Over the past two decades, Gardenia found her calling working in the field of Oncology. At the

UNC Hospital Chapel Hill she was an Oncology Case Manager, assisting doctors with case

reports. At Northside Atlanta she first worked as an Administrative Assistant in the Cancer

Genetics Department and since 2012 as a Cancer Conference Planner. This position allowed

Gardenia to utilize her talent of organization helping others. These conferences gathered

together cancer specialists across multiple fields to discuss options for patients.

Gardenia gave her time generously to friends and family. She created meaningful relationships

with those she met and worked with. She loved spending time with her four nephews and

watching them grow up.

Gardenia battled breast cancer with courage and grace since 2015. She underwent numerous

surgeries, chemo treatments, and radiation to extend her time with loved ones. In the past two

and half years of her metastatic diagnosis, she fought with extraordinary optimism and bravery.

In her final days, she was able to celebrate her life: singing, laughing, and visiting with so many

that loved her.

She is preceded in death by her mother, Usitai Thurman, and fur baby Marley, and survived by

her father, George Thurman, of Canton, GA, brother Ray Thurman (Rebecca) and nephews

Miles, Mason and Theodore of Buford, GA, and sister Neta Thurman (Erwin Sateler) and

nephew Santiago (Ago) of Woodstock, GA. She will be dearly missed by all that knew her.

Arrangements have been made for Sunday, August 4th, 2024

Canton Funeral Home - 10655 E. Cherokee Dr, Canton, GA 30115

Viewing 1:00-2:30

Memorial Service 2:30

Colorful attire requested as a tribute to Gardenia’s joyful spirit and the happiness she brought

into people’s lives. Please share memories with us on the funeral home’s online guestbook.

Donations can be made in her honor to https://sistersbychoice.org/about-us or

https://beyondtheribboninc.org