Jane Ann Johnson

Jane Ann Sheppard Johnson 24 May 1943 - 19 January 2021 With sadness we acknowledge the passing of Jane Ann Sheppard Johnson. Jane was born May 24, 1943 to Norva Loretha Van Dusen and Clark Joseph Sheppard of Smiths Falls, Ontario. She was raised and received her formal schooling in town. Her love of piano was born from the music which surrounded her at home. It was there that she first learned to play and, although the ability was enhanced with training, the joy survived for her whole life. School graduation led to work. Beginning locally, Jane went to work as a secretary / receptionist in town. She was drawn away to larger opportunity in Canada’s capital, Ottawa, where she lived and worked through the mid 1970’s. After a childless marriage ended in divorce, friends encouraged her to move from private to federal employment with the Department of External Affairs. It was not long before she accepted a posting to Russia, arriving at Canadian Embassy Moscow in October 1977. It was while there that she met Les Johnson, an American temporarily assigned to U.S. Embassy Moscow. A fateful decision led Jane to accepted a marriage proposal, resign Canadian service, and leave Russia with Les for the United States in June 1978. Living in small town western Massachusetts, Jane met new people, experienced motherhood, and maintained family ties. Eventually the family moved to the Fredericksburg, Virginia area. It is here that Jane spent close to half her life. Jane became an active choir member of Fredericksburg Presbyterian church in both vocal and handbell choirs. Jane also returned to work, most notably with the University of Mary Washington Stafford campus. Her professional decorum was balanced by her sharp wit and her love of Coca-Cola. She left employment behind in 2012 to enjoy the benefits of retirement. Predeceased by both parents, Jane leaves her brother John, husband Les, daughters Laura Jane Ramsburg (Scott), and Leslie Ann Johnson (Michael Levi) and grandson Devon Joseph Ramsburg. She also leaves uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews on both sides of the US - Canada border. Donations in Jane’s memory should be directed to Trinity, United Church of Canada, Smiths Falls, Ontario or to the Fredericksburg Presbyterian Church, Fredericksburg, Virginia. Memorial service plans will be determined at a later time. For this moment Jane sends to her friends and family two gifts. This music: "With What Shall I come Before The Lord?" : By John Ness Beck and this poetry: Look to this day: For it is life, the very life of life. In its brief course Lie all the verities and realities of your existence The bliss of growth, The glory of action, The splendor of achievement Are but experiences of time. For yesterday is but a dream And tomorrow is only a vision; But today well-lived makes Yesterday a dream of happiness And every tomorrow a vision of hope. Look well, therefore to this day; Such is the salutation to the ever-new dawn. translation of sanskrit verse, attributed to Kalidasa James Dalton Morrison, 1948