Jo Anne Johnson

Jo Johnson (née Scarborough) was born at her family home in Sepulveda, California in 1935. She led a healthy, active, engaged and adventurous life. She shared her childhood with one younger brother, Tom. She enjoyed several animals on the property: dogs, cats, chickens and eventually spent much of her youth becoming an avid horseback/bareback rider leading holiday parades down Van Nuys Blvd.

Jo met her loving husband Bill at Valley Jr. College at the age of 18 where she always joked she gave him the answers. They have been together ever since, having celebrated 67.5 tender years of marriage. She attended University of Santa Barbara before she married, and raised three children teaching them to be independent, hardworking individuals. She volunteered many years for the Girl Scouts, played tennis achieving 1st place for the ladies team competition, and traveled the world meeting people wherever she went creating lasting friendships. She loved sewing, tole painting, painting ceramics, mahjong with her friends, and kabitzing on-line with her far away friends. She is described as “one of the finest” by many of her friends and cherished her time with them.

She adored her nine grandchildren and nine great grandchildren often traveling to see them for Grandparent’s Day, dance recitals, many sporting events such as baseball, hockey and soccer. Family was first and foremost in her mind treasuring moments in person, by FaceTime, letter, phone call or text. As one grandchild says, “she was that ‘comfort’ at the end of the phone.”

Her grand and great grandchildren’s relationships with her reflect her love and investment in them:

“She taught me about art and creativity and to always follow my dreams and to find my passions in life.”

“I love that she loved us in every unique season of life. I vividly remember her sending photos of her wearing my college’s t-shirt while watching my school’s football games when we were in school.”

“She was a teacher of wisdom and selflessness.”

“She was a bird expert, hallmark movie lover, cooking show watcher, painter, creator, lover of nature, Dutch babies master, tradition starter, sharer in laughter, kind eye smile and hug giver, Thanksgiving host, “world famous” orange white chocolate chip cookie maker, Lake Arrowhead cabin-warm-feel maker, and marshmallow topped sweet potato baker. She was the grandma everyone loves to have, the best kind.”

“She taught me how to enjoy the simple things in life. How God’s creations on Earth were so pure and beautiful. We always would sit down and be filled with joy watching the hummingbirds eat and pass by in her backyard. My favorite memory was when we spent all day cooking and baking for Thanksgiving dinner and it was the best Thanksgiving meal I had ever eaten. We would laugh as I spilled flour all over the counter while making gluten free pie crust dough from scratch. She would text me around Thanksgiving every year after that and tell me how much fun she had cooking with me. It was such an honor to spend that time with just her and I.”

“A main quality about her is how she loved us. She always welcomed us with open arms and a smile. One of my favorite memories is listening to her play the piano and watching her wrinkled hands glide up and down. Sometimes she would sing along and that was the best.”

“She was very excellent at slowing down to intentionally make moments special. For example- whether it was painting unique gifts for us, or tracking which village pieces I had for Christmas every year, she found something uniquely special to share and enjoy with me.”

“Grammie Jo really made you feel proud of yourself whether making a piece of art, playing something on the piano or even eating green beans.”

“The first thing I did, after Grandma passed, was go buy a hummingbird feeder and make some homemade nectar so I can keep feeding the hummingbirds for her.”

She added spark and joy while serving her family. Her humor kept us laughing. She was a considerate hostess and generously shared her home with foreign exchange students, travelers, family and friends.

Bill’s “light” has left for now, but she leaves her lasting touch on all of our lives.

Services:

4/28 viewing, open house format 3-7 pm

4/29 memorial 3 pm

Palm Mortuary

7400 W. Cheyenne Ave.

Las Vegas, NV 89129

On Line service link: dignitymemorial.com

tab: obituaries, scroll to Jo A. Johnson, scroll and touch for services. You may sign up for reminders

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to:

Wildhaven Ranch

29435 Pineridge Dr.

Cedar Glen, CA 92321.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.palmcheyenne.com for the Johnson family.