JANE E. JOHNSON

Jane E. Johnson died peacefully on Monday, June 8 at Mira Vista Care Center surrounded by her family. She had suffered for many years with COPD and can finally breathe freely!

Jane Elizabeth Johnson was born in Mount Vernon on April 14, 1939, to Wallace and Virginia Hopkins Britten. She grew up on their dairy farm south of Mount Vernon. She attended Conway school and graduated from Mount Vernon High School and Skagit Valley College. She attended the University of Washington.

While living in Seattle, she met her future husband, Charles Lee Johnson. They were married on July 21, 1962. Lee owned a machine shop in Seattle, and Jane helped with the bookkeeping. They welcomed two sons, Michael in 1963 and Steven in 1967. They lived near the zoo and Green Lake, where she enjoyed taking the boys on many adventures with her dear friend Carol Lasnier and her sons.

In 1972, she and Lee moved to Conway and then to Mount Vernon, where they raised Steve and Michael, never missing a sporting event! They purchased LaConner Machine and Drydock. Jane was the bookkeeper for the business, and they became an important part of the community.

Lee passed away in 1990, and Jane sold the business. She had various bookkeeping jobs, but her true passion was knitting. She worked at Hellen’s Needlework for many years and helped many knitters master the art!

One of the highlights of her life was taking a knitting tour to the Scandinavian countries, where she further advanced her skills — and, of course brought home more yarn! She always welcomed babies into the world with a treasured sweater or blanket. This included her grandchildren, her niece and nephew and the grandchildren of her dear friends. She was almost finished with a blanket to welcome her newest granddaughter, who is expected later this month.

Jane was always devoted to her pets. She always had at least one special cat and dog to keep her company. She was a familiar figure walking Heidi, Annie or Abby on the hill in Mount Vernon.

Jane is survived by her son, Michael and Jessica and her much-loved grandchildren Travis, Garrett and Miranda, son Steven and Jessi, their daughter Charlie and soon-to-be-born daughter. She is also survived by her brother Robert and his wife JoAnne Britten, as well as her niece Kara and Rooein Roshandal and nephew Craig and Jen Britten. She loved her great-niece Violet and great-nephew Jackson, and they, too, had beautiful sweaters to wear to be wrapped in Aunt Jane’s love.

Jane’s last days were spent at Mira Vista Care Center, and we would like to thank the staff there for their care of Jane. We were extended many kindnesses by the wonderful people who work there. The night before she passed, we were there with her grandchildren and niece Kara. We ended up having pizza, and I know Jane enjoyed being with us for one last family dinner!

We will have a memorial service for Jane at Kern Funeral Home on Saturday, July 11, at 11 a.m. A reception there will follow the service. If desired, memorial donations would be appreciated to the Skagit Humane Society, 18841 Kelleher Road, Burlington, WA 98233.

Arrangements are under the care of Kern Funeral Home. You may off your condolences to Jane’s family and share memories online at http://www.kernfuneralhome.com.