I just today learned about Johanna’s passing.  We were co-workers at OHSU, and friends for 40+ years.  She was an amazing person who loved people, traveling, and of course her dogs. We started an annual girls fishing trip many years ago. This tradition lives on, although she quit going when her knees got bad several years ago. I will always have great memories of birthday lunches, sipping wine in her amazing backyard, visiting in her home, and hours of chatting on the phone. She was a very special friend whose sweet sweet memory will live forever in my heart.

I was Johanna's across-the-street neighbor for almost 40 years.  Our birthdays are just 2 months apart.  My husband, Rick Rubin, knew her way longer and knew her husband Jack too.  He introduced me to Johanna in 1985 with stories of dogs and mutual friends.  After Rick died in 2014, she and I got together in the evening every month or so inside her welcoming house or under the blossoms of her beautiful backyard garden and talked travel and plays and Germany and Tuva and books--and shared a bottle of wine and German cookies and more.  I sorely miss her.
Charlotte Rubin

I just wanted to thank John and Sallie Anne and all those who planned the wonderful celebration of life for Johanna. It was a very special occasion and so lovely to see all the people who cared about her so deeply. I really enjoyed hearing the stories from her life. 
I knew her from working in the lab at OHSU and then became friends outside of work. We shared outings to the symphony and other cultural events like Cirque de Soleil. Johanna enthusiastically embraced it all. I will miss our friendship and our conversations about, well, everything. But I will cherish the memories.

Sincerely,
Mary Ulmschneider

Oh Johanna !
My Sweet, Radiant, Kind, Bright, and Loving Friend,
Thank you for sharing so many precious hours with me.
Thank you for sharing your love of Gardening, your deep appreciation of Music,
Your enjoyment of the Theater and Art,
Your joy in Celebrations (especially Birthdays), fine red wines, gourmet cuisine,
Thank you for sharing your love of Books. You were always reading; Books on Buddhism, History, Politics, Temples, Birds, Natural Wonders. 
Thank you for your love of Photography and Adventure Travel. With your trusted Canon Zoom Camera, you captured amazing moments from your trips to Thailand, Laos, Cambodia,
Vietnam, Northern and Southern India, Egypt, Jordan, Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Patagonia, Tierra Del Fuego, the Chilean Fjords, Argentina, Iguassu Falls, and more. 
You often befriended other travelers on your journeys.
You were considered family by many, especially your Tuvan Throat Singers. 
Thank you for helping me to pick out a good Camera.
Thank you for sharing the Laughter, the Tears, the Joy, and the Fears of this Life.
You inspired me deeply with your Enthusiasm for Life.
You were an amazing Friend, and a Phenomenal Woman, and I shall
miss you, always !

I’m very sad to just get this news and
would of tried to attend a memorial for her if l had kept in touch. I have lived at the Noth OR coast for 25 yrs. I don’t remember if I got her phone number when l last saw her. She was at my father’s celebration of life or 81st birthday, and that was over 6 or 7 years ago. I’ll always remember the pillow room they had at their home in NW and dream of having one someday myself. There was nothing else in that room, just a carpet, my folks thought it was so cool so had to show it to us kids. We also had a big Easter surprise when Johanna and Jack showed up with a very special basket for our family. It was so wonderful and full of all kinds of treats for us to share. Our thoughts and prayers go out to your family, and l will always remember them at Easter. All our love, Ricia Smith/Parcher, Carl Smith’s daughter

OBITUARY

Johanna "Hannelora" Eleonora Howell

December 12, 1941 – May 27, 2024

Zeller Chapel of the Roses

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