Mary (Sally) Johnson

SALLY JOHNSON IDAHO FALLS, ID -- Mary Virginia "Sally" Johnson, 83, died peacefully at home with her family on Saturday, March 29. She was born in Shreveport, Louisiana on March 14, 1925 to Henry and Virginia Robertson, the third of five children. She married J Ward Johnson of Sioux City, Iowa on March 11, 1945 at Drew Field in Tampa, Florida. Ward and Sally lived in Montana, California, Utah and Illinois, before moving to Idaho in 1961 where they settled in Idaho Falls to raise their family. Devoted mother and wife, Sally's compassion for others and passion for life was evidenced in her family and community relations. She was longtime member and Deacon of the Idaho Falls First Presbyterian Church, cofounder of the Idaho Falls Youth Hockey Program, member of PEO (Philanthropic Educational Organization), volunteer at Sacred Heart Hospital, and volunteer for many youth organizations including Job's Daughters, 4-H, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts. Sally found comfort and joy in her faith, family, friends, cooking, gardening, music, dance and laughter. Sally touched many lives, young and old alike. Never did she meet a stranger. Sally is survived by her husband, Ward Johnson and their four children: son Michael (Nancy) Johnson of San Diego, daughter Janet (Scott) MacGregor of Idaho Falls, twin sons Robert (JoDee) and Gary (Rhonda) Johnson also of Idaho Falls, five grandchildren (Scott, Christopher, Darcy, Jake and Chase), and two great grandchildren. Survivors also include brother, Henry of Shreveport, Louisiana, and caring companions Dee Wilkinson and Della O'Donnell of Idaho Falls. Funeral service will be held Thursday, April 3, 2008, at 2:00 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church, 325 Elm Street, Idaho Falls, with Reverend Dr. Dennis Falasco officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the services at the church. Private internment will follow the service at the New Sweden Cemetery. The family welcomes donations to the First Presbyterian Church of Idaho Falls or the Idaho Falls Youth Hockey Association. ------------------------------------ Condolences received online: Matt and Judy Johnson We are thinking of you all and praying you find comfort and strength. God Bless. Don & Carrie Potter Our thoughts and prayers are with you. God Bless. Chad & Jean Hersley Robert, Our thoughts and prayer are with and your family. Robbi Johnson-VanAuken rjisok@cybertrails.com My thoughts have been with you Ward, and all of my cousins, since Dee called. I've been grieving right along with you. Sally had a sparkle about her which will make this earthly world a little less brilliant, but wherever she is, Dad is there too, so there's a lot of brilliance in heaven now. I'm sorry I can't be there, but I truly am there in spirit. I love you all. If there is ever anything I or my children might do for any of you, we're here. Rob & Amedi & hers & Raina & hers & Keaton Dennis Mansfield dmans7779@earthlink.net Please know that my heart is with you during this time. Since the day I met Sally I have felt her presence on my shoulder trying to convince me not to listen to the guy on my other shoulder. Her influence will remain with me and continue to provide guidance when I'm looking for the right way to go. I didn't always agree with her, nor she with me, but my respect and admiration for her was won by her ability to listen and advise. Stubborn and strong willed with a great capacity to care and listen to the other side. I will miss her and I love her. Thank you for sharing her with the rest of us. Roger Hodges cuthere1@hotmail.com Dear Ward and Family, The community will feel a void with the parting of Sally. She has been a warm, productive citizen of the area as well as a great Mother and partner. I hope you will be buoyed up by your memories of the great things Sally did and the great person she is. Blessings to you and Best Wishes, Roger Hodges Sheila & Vic Gentle We're so sorry to hear about the loss of "Sally." I always looked forward to seeing her bright sunny smile and lively personality when she came into our dental office. I will surely miss her. What a wonderful "lady" she was. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. Lean on your family and friends at this time to help you through the hard times ahead. B. J. & Karin Bybee Gary, Robert and family. We never had the chance to meet your mother - but knowing you we are sure she was a special lady. We are sorry we can't make the services. You and yours will be in our thoughts and prayers. BJ & Karin Bybee Julian and Deanna Cowley DEANNACOWLEY@MSN.COM All of us see Sally in a new way, in God's way. We remember her gifts of graciousness and generosity, her selflessness and enthusiasm. All honors and possessions now seem irrelevant. How strange that death gives us the ultimate meaning of life. The vulnerability we feel today teaches us gentleness of spirit and leads us to value life with greater tenderness and compassion. We let her spirit go but love remains. Colleen Scheid colleenscheid@hopkinsroden.com I was saddened to hear of Sally's death and just want you to know how very sorry I am. She was a very special friend to me and I always enjoyed the time I spent with her and her cheerful nature. I am sorry I cannot be there in person to express my sympathy. Sincerely, Colleen Scheid Lane Archibald lra@pcif.net To The Ward & Sally Johnson Family, One of the greatest blessings of this life is our families. We didn't know your Wife and Mom well, but from what we did know, we could tell that you were very important to her. May those memories with her, and the love she had for you, live on and help fill the loss you are feeling now. May the knowledge of being able to be with her again and the Lord's sweet spirit lift and comfort you all. Our hearts and prayers are for you. Lane & Nancy Archibald Kevin Conlon My thoughts and prays are with you all. Garth & Nancy Jones Just wanted you to know we are thinking of you and praying that time will ease the pain of your loss and that the good memories you have of Sally will remain. She was a wonderful person and we feel privileged to have known her. We feel badly about being unable to attend the funeral, but our thoughts were with you. God bless you, Garth and Nancy Jones