Kathryn "Kathy" Nannery

Kathryn Nannery, 82, of Port St. Lucie, Florida lost her 30+ year battle with Parkinson's Disease on February 12, 2025.
Kathy was born in Brooklyn, NY in 1942, the middle child of George and Enda Hehner. Her father George sold and repaired all of the outboard motors in Brooklyn, and perhaps not surprisingly, Kathy's childhood summers were spent water skiing and boating on Jamaica Bay with her brothers George and Bob. After high school, Kathy attended St. Clare's Nursing School, white nurse's cap and all. She served as a registered nurse for more than 20 years at hospitals across New York City, Brooklyn, and Long Island.
Despite not being Italian, Kathy made the world's best lasagna. Her rice pudding and chocolate cake were particularly famous. After completing the entire Grand Diplome Cooking Course by mail, Kathy could make anything. She delighted her children with homemade waffles and donuts for breakfast, along with her signature "camping breakfast."
Kathy loved boating, camping, reading, and board games and inspired the same loves in her children–although no one could beat her at Scrabble. Before Parkinson's took away her fine motor skills, she was a keen crocheter and crafted stunningly beautiful afghans. She was also amazingly handy and loved nothing more than a trip to Home Depot or Lowe's to check out the latest in faucets, paint colors, and lighting fixtures.
Kathy is survived by her daughter Krista of West Palm Beach, FL (somewhat handy) and her son Robert, of Astoria, Queens (very handy). The family remains forever grateful to neurologists Dr. Michael Okun and Dr. Kelly Foote at the University of Florida Shands Hospital who, in September of 2012, gave Kathy the gift of another 12+ years with her family through their innovative and life-extending deep brain stimulation surgery.
Kathy specifically asked her daughter to tell you that for the last 30 years, many people would say "Poor Kathy" after learning about her Parkinson's. Kathy wants you to know that she outlived most of these people. So never let the haters keep you down.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Norman Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases at The University of Florida in Kathy's memory. https://www.uff.ufl.edu/giving-opportunities/028001-fixel-institute-advancement-fund/