Janis Kathleen Johnson

Born February 11, 1944, in Glendale, CA, to Allan and Isabel Shepherd, Janis and her older sister Karen spent many family vacations enjoying road trips and visiting national parks. She graduated from Morningside High School in 1961. She then attended California State University, Long Beach (formerly Long Beach State), where she earned a degree in English and obtained a secondary teaching credential. While attending Long Beach, she met her future husband, Michael. She was a devoted homemaker after giving birth to her special-needs daughter Lisa. After Michael’s promotion at Social Security, they moved to Maryland, where Eric and Jennifer were born, eventually settling in her favorite city, the newly developed town of Columbia. She adored her children, encouraging them in developing their talents throughout their lives, whether it was learning the bagpipes or attempting to become a writer. She also eagerly followed along with their stories of the latest development in the G.I. Joe or Care Bears universes and became a den mother for both Eric and Jennifer’s Scouting troops. Janis was a fervent caretaker for her daughter Lisa, who was confined to a wheelchair and needed extensive healthcare. She was an advocate for assistance and education for Lisa and would often overexert her own physical health for that of her eldest daughter. In the 1990s, Janis attended Howard Community College and received a certificate in medical billing, which she made her career until she retired in 2013. She was excited to move from Columbia to Charlestown Senior Living in Catonsville in 2020 to be with her friends, Sally Clayton and her husband, Les Graef.

Janis had many passions in life - a lifelong love for travel, as evidenced by her numerous trips to Catalina Island, Mexico, the United Kingdom, Jamaica, and European cruises, many with her sister Karen or best friend Sally at her side. She was always looking forward to the next trip. As a fiercely proud Scotswoman, she would find any excuse to wear a tartan print or include a thistle where she could. She loved competition and gaming – Scrabble, Rummikub, Atari 2600, Trivial Pursuit, Mahjong, and Krazy Bee Rummy caused many days and nights of laughter, tears, and frustration. She often couldn’t keep herself from commenting on how good her hand was, to the amusement of those playing with her. Janis taught her children that victory was to be earned, not given. Almost every morning you could hear the ffffrfrfrr-dddtdtdtpp!! of her shuffling the cards for multiple games of Solitaire. Her skill at sewing, pleating, and costume making was unrivaled – creating amazing Halloween costumes as well as beautiful prom dresses for neighbors’ daughters. Janis was a voracious reader and would often take her children to the public library, instilling in them a love for reading. Her favorites were mysteries, specifically Agatha Christie’s “Poirot” series.

In her later years, Janis developed several serious health issues, but she never let those get her down. Her lilting laugh with a long sigh will be missed by those that knew her well.

Janis is predeceased by her parents Allan and Isabel Shepherd; her daughter Lisa; and her precious corgi, Toby. She is survived by her children’s father, Michael Johnson; her children Eric (and wife Joy) Johnson and Jennifer Smith; her beloved grandchildren Sophie, Isobel, Max, and Oscar Johnson; and her sister Karen Czerwinski.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Janis’ name can be given to the International Rett Syndrome Foundation (https://www.rettsyndrome.org/) or Small Miracles Cat and Dog Rescue (https://www.smallmiraclesrescue.org/).

There will be a Memorial Gathering at the Witzke Funeral Homes Inc. 5555 Twin Knolls Road. Columbia, MD 21045 on Saturday, March 29, 2025 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.