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. Gardenias 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 Gardenias joyful spirit and the happiness she brought into peoples lives. Please share memories with us on the funeral homes online guestbook. Donations can be made in her honor to https://sistersbychoice.org/about-us or https://beyondtheribboninc.org