Helen Reid Johnson

Our Mom, our Nana passed away this past Sunday, March 4, 2012 in Everett, Washington. She raised us with such love and care; she was our friend and undying supporter; she will be missed terribly.

Mom was born in San Diego, California on January 2, 1935 to Willis and Kathryn Reid. She was their only child and they were close all their lives. In December, 1953, Mom married John Johnson, a Navajo/Acoma Marine from New Mexico. Together they raised their family of six kids in Ontario, California and Flagstaff, Arizona. Mom and Dad later divorced after 25 years of marriage.

Mom was a homemaker when the kids were young, dealing with the madness of 4 boys and 2 girls while also staying active in church, school, political and social activities. When we moved to Flagstaff, Mom worked as a medical transcriptionist for the Coconino County Health Department where she retired. In 1994, because she had to be with her grandkids, Mom moved up to Seattle, Washington with her two girls and their families. In Seattle, Mom met her special friend, Loren Eikenberry, and together they had a very active life.

Mom was a romantic. She loved to travel and see new things; whether with Loren or a travel group, she thought it was so wonderful to see these places most of us have only seen in a magazine. She enjoyed reading and playing and listening to music, and encouraged that love in her children. She volunteered with the Beneroya Hall, and saw as many performances as she could. She volunteered for the medical center and continued doing medical transcription for client providers. She was always active in the church, and was a member of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Kirkland, Washington; she very much enjoyed the fellowship she found there. Mom liked dancing and meeting new people; she was a great cook and such a good listener. And of course, a coupon was always a good thing for her.

Mom is survived by her four boys and their spouses; Tony and Sylvia, Dave and Charsty, Chris and Janice and Dean and Gina; and by her two girls and their spouses, Laurie and Tyler Redding and Elaina and Troy Moore. Nana also leaves her grandkids, Erica, Corey, Nathan and Paige Redding and Trevor and Allie Moore.

Services will be held Saturday, March 10, at 3:00 at Floral Hills in Lynwood, WA. Mom would want donations be made to the Leukemia Foundation instead of flowers. We loved her and miss her so much.

Arrangements under the direction of Purdy & Walters at Floral Hills, Lynnwood, WA.