Judith (Judy) Lee Neidig, 75

August 25, 2025

Judith (Judy) Lee Neidig died with her sisters at her side on July 25, 2025. She was predeceased by her parents Leo J. and Irene B. Kennedy, her brother John M. Kennedy, and her best friend and husband of 50 years, Joseph (Mike) Neidig. Her sisters Marianne Calenda (Salvatore) and Jean Warner (Martin) and brother James Kennedy survive her. She is also survived by nephews James Calenda (Stephanie Blunt), Jake Kennedy, Elton Kennedy, John Warner and niece, Helena Warner. Judy will also be missed by her cousins and her many friends who were very important in her life.

Judy was a PhD, RN at The Ohio State University. She was a clinical nurse, an NIH funded researcher during the early days of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, and a university administrator who helped establish clinical and research programs for people living with HIV/AIDS.

She played a pivotal role in forming multidisciplinary research teams and authored many papers in peer-reviewed medical journals. In these papers, her original contributions ranged from describing sophisticated data collection to the practical management of the most problematic aspects of the disease. Her research on living with HIV, the side effects of HIV treatments, and the uncertainty of HIV illness, earned her papers thousands of citations.

Caregiving was central to Judy’s life. In addition to being a nurse, she was a caregiver to her father, husband, and father-in-law. Her passion for aging in one’s community inspired her volunteer work with Village Communities in Columbus and with the Lancaster Downtowners.

Judy was always curious, led a vibrant life, and appreciated art and all types of music. In her retirement she had the best parties and got great joy from the social connections she made.

Memorial gifts, if desired, may be given to the Lancaster County Food Hub or to the Mid-Ohio Food Collective.

Services will be private and at the convenience of the family.