Judith Kaye "Judie" Burrows

Judith Kaye “Judie” Burrows (nee Payne) May 16, 1940 - January 30, 2020 After a ferocious 10+ year battle fighting for the life she once had, Judie Burrows passed away quietly, finally succumbing to complications from the injuries she suffered in 2009 in a routine partial hip replacement that left her in a coma with permanent brain damage. Post coma, despite relentless pain and suffering, Judie fought everyday of the next decade with the hopes and dreams of getting in her car and driving herself to her home of 50 years in Greendale, Wisconsin. A retired Milwaukee Public School Special Ed school teacher with a Masters Degree, Judie was a free-spirited world traveler with a particular affinity for Turkey - a country she visited for 20 years. Judie loved her cats, garden, sweets, love stories, revenge flicks (thank you Lifetime movies!), her savings, Turkish dancing, singing in the choir and All Things Water - pools, lakes, oceans… She deeply loved her friends, family, students, caregivers, her children and her grandchild, Benjamin. A voracious clotheshorse, her closet was a mini-Macy’s. She had shoes for every occasion - and non-occasion. Perhaps her most beloved possession was her car - which represented the one thing Judie may have treasured most - her independence. Judie’s struggle to get her life back and receive medical and legal justice was featured in the HBO documentary film BLEED OUT. Seen by millions, Judie’s feisty fearlessness and singular sense of humor inspired thousands of similar victims and families of medical error to continue to fight. Judie became the voice of the voiceless. Doctors, hospitals and universities across America have stated Judie’s story and courage are literally saving lives. Judie's impact in the world continues as humanitarian awards, legislation, and an entire school have been named in her honor. The Judie Burrows Education Institute was launched in Washington D.C. in March of 2022. The school teacher becoming a school is now her legacy. There will be a ‘Celebration Of Life’ in her honor on Saturday, June 18, 2022. Family and friends are welcome to gather at Greendale Community Church (6015 Clover Lane, Greendale, WI 53129) from 9 AM until time of service at 10 AM. A service to celebrate her life will take place at the church from 10-11 AM. There will be a walking flower procession to escort Judie home for the last time. Celebration, tributes, music, fellowship and food to follow at Ricardo's in downtown Greendale. Burial will be private for the family at St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Cemetery. Judie is survived by her son Stephen (Margo), daughter Beth and grandson Benjamin. As USA Today said, "Born a teacher, died a teacher, forever a teacher." Contributions to carry forward Judie’s work and legacy in raising awareness in patient safety can me made to: JudithBurrows