Vale Judy Kranen OAM

Tributes have been paid to Judy Kranen, who has died aged 72 leaving “an incredible hole” across the Moreton Bay region.

Mrs Kranen, who passed away on December 1, was a volunteer, committee member and supporter of numerous service, sporting and community organisations.

She was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in 2014 for “outstanding service to veterans and their families”.

Councillor Yvonne Barlow (Div 7), a friend since their school days at Banyo High, said Mrs Kranen was “an amazing woman”.

“Judy was extremely active … and instrumental in making things better for the community,” Cr Barlow said.

“She is going to leave an incredible hole in organisations in our Moreton Bay area.”

Mrs Kranen’s pet projects included the silhouette tributes to Anzac soldiers, navy sailors and nurses on the Anzac Ave/Bruce Highway bridge.

The Strathpine resident was also leading a campaign to have the overpass officially named Anzac Avenue Centenary Memorial Bridge.

Deputy Mayor Jodie Shipway now plans to raise the bridge naming in Council and seek support to lobby Transport and Main Roads (TMR).

She said it would be “in Judy’s honour, it was something she was passionate about and I would like her sons to see that come to fruition."

President Laurence Christie said Mango Hill Progress Association (MHPA) also wished to continue her bridge name campaign.

Mrs Kranan supported MHPA with its Centenary of Anzac Festival in 2015, Centenary Festival for the Armistice in 2018, MC-ed Anzac Day services and helped at skate nights and Christmas Carols.

“We will long remember Judy Kranen here in Mango Hill. She gave so much to so many,” Mr Christie said.

Cr Cath Tonks (Div 9) said Mrs Kranen “was much loved in our community”, was an “amazing volunteer …. and will be greatly missed.”

Mrs Kranen was a Life Member of RSL of Australia and RSL Women’s Auxiliary, receiving an RSL National Merit certificate and Women’s Auxiliary Long-Service award for 30 years.

She was also a member of the Citizen Military Forces (CMF), Army Reserve (ARes), Women's Royal Australian Army Corps (WRAAC) and Royal Australian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (RAEME) where she was a Corporal.

RAEME’s tribute on its website said: “All in the Corps thank you …. for the fun, the friendship and companionship.”

Mrs Kranen was a member of the Pine Rivers RSL, RSL Women’s Auxiliary Pine Rivers, RSL State Council Women’s Auxiliary and Dickson Electorate Seniors Council.

She was on the Anzac Memorial Avenue Centenary Committee, in North Pine Historical Society and supported Hummingbird House fundraising.

Mrs Kranen was also received the Queensland Inspiring Woman of the Year award and was named the 2022 Dickson Electorate Local Legend.

She had been a volunteer at the 1999 Inter Continental Games and 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, as well as at the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast.

Mrs Kranen could also be found helping at the Brisbane Tennis International, Davis Cup fixtures and was a baseball coach with North Star and the Rapids.

She leaves husband John, two sons and grandchildren.