Susan Jean Johansson

Susan Johansson, 70, passed away peacefully on Sunday, October 26, 2014, after a courageous 10-year battle with cancer. Susan was born in San Diego, California in 1943 to Jack and Lois Stephens. When she was five years old, her family moved to Ventura County where she remained for most of her life. She graduated from San Jose State University with a BA in Elementary Education and a teaching credential. In the middle of Susan’s first year of teaching, she married her high school sweetheart, Eric (Rick) Johansson. She taught full-time until their two daughters, Karin and Sarah, were born. Susan went back to teaching when her girls were both in school and retired in 2005 after teaching for 30 years, 20 of which were in the Rio School District in Oxnard.

For Susan, family always came first. Whether it was when she put her career on hold to stay home and raise her daughters, or attend each of their hundreds of soccer games and track meets, or spend cherished time with her grandchildren; her dedication to family never waivered. She made her home a place people wanted to be. Her kind heart and warm, welcoming spirit is what everyone will remember.

Susan’s adventurous spirit guided her, Rick and other family members on countless trips, including but not limited to, three cross-country camping road trips that allowed her to visit all 48 contiguous states, and more than 30 cruises to Hawaii, Alaska, the Mediterranean, Panama Canal, Norway, Mexico, and many others. And because of her amazing resolve and optimism, she was even looking forward to a cruise scheduled for her 71st birthday in November.

If you knew Susan, you know she was never idle. Over the years she was dedicated to her volunteer work with her church and the local AAUW, Alpha Delta Kappa (ADK) and Assistance League chapters. She enjoyed many things: joining her dear childhood friends for monthly luncheons, her book club gatherings and gourmet group dinners, and tending to her rose garden. She always looked forward to her marathon pre-dawn shopping trips with her daughters and sisters-in-law.

Whenever Susan wanted to relax and as she began to feel the effects of her illness, she would curl up with one of her kitties and visit with family and friends or watch her favorite television shows.

In addition to her husband, Rick and daughters, Karin Haggmark (husband Joshua) and Sarah Cameron (husband Matthew), Susan leaves behind her three grandchildren, Annika, Ryker and Kai Haggmark; brother, George Stephens (wife Judy); sister-in-law, Nina Doggrell; niece, Debbie Brozyna (husband Charles); nephew, Dan Stephens; and niece, Kristin Gorum (husband Jerry). Susan also was fortunate to have many extended family members in Maryland, Nebraska and Washington State.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, November 1, 2014, 3:00 P.M., at the Camarillo United Methodist Church, located at 291 Anacapa Drive. Private burial will take place at Conejo Mountain Memorial Park on Sunday, November 2nd.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Susan’s name to the American Cancer Society or TLC Home Hospice.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Ted Mayr Funeral Home, 3150 Loma Vista Rd., Ventura.