Obituary of Eileen Johnson

Winfred Eileen Johnson Winifred Eileen Johnson, 84, passed away May 14, 2009 in the quiet, comfortable, loving surroundings of Chambers Creek Adult Family Home in Olympia, from colon cancer. The staff of the AFH, the care of Providence Sound Homecare and Hospice, visits from church friends and loving family helped to make Eileen’s transition from this realm to the next a peaceful one. Eileen wrote the following words in April of 1975, when she and Norman had taken a Sunday School class on preparing for their own death: “I believe that God is love and that nothing can separate me from the bond and so I know that whatever he has in store for me can only be more of what I have already experienced in his love. I desire that my family and friends may rejoice in Christian spirit at my death and invite you to use the memorial service as an occasion of hope, and to regard death not as an end, but a new beginning, not a defeat, but a victory. For now I am released from my earthly body and have gone on to be with our heavenly father and loved ones who have preceded me in death.” “My desire is that my service be held in our church, for here the great events of our lives have taken place” baptism, conformation, marriage, the learning of God’s word and the renewing celebration of our Lord’s Supper in the Sacrament of Holy Communion. It is fitting,, then, that this last event of our life – death – also be affirmed in the mutual courage, joy and assurance of the gathered Christian Community.” Eileen was born in Seattle, WA January 17, 1925. Eileen’s activity as a child/youth included involvement in the life and community of the First United Methodist Church in downtown Seattle, ice skating, summers at Camp Sealth (a camp fire girls camp where Eileen’s mother was on staff), active involvement in Seattle Camp Fire projects and service for 10 years - earning the highest rank of Individual Torch Bearer, and studying hard in high school to be a honor student. She attended the University of Washington and was a member of the Wesley Foundation. (a United Methodist Campus Ministry program, where she met her husband) She was married to Norman Burke Johnson on August 20, 1948. Yakima was their home until they moved to the west side of Washington as Norman taught school. then they moved to Olympia in 1954. Eileen was very active in the life of the Olympia community and her church as she raised her three children, David, Carol and Jeff. She was at just about everything her children got themselves into. She could be found teaching Sunday School, cheering at the sidelines of a Little League Game, presenting awards at a Camp Fire event for Carol or a scouting event for David or Jeff, racking up numerous miles taxiing her children here and there, lending a hand at church youth group events, helping with numerous women’s events at church, spending years on the Arts Alive committee at church as she was a lifelong painter who wanted others to find the “art” within themselves, and she was a great cook, canner and planner of many family parties and celebrations. She was a lifelong member of the United Methodist Church. As an adult she was awarded The Wakan Service Award for outstanding service as a Camp Fire Girls Leader. She was a Yoga (Hatha) enthusiast (something that she has passed on to her daughter!) and was active in the Olympia Art League. She and her husband were members of the Little Rockers Square Dance Club and continually sought knowledge through Elderhostel programs throughout the United States. Eileen compiled over 40 scrapbooks from her travels! She is survived by daughter, Carol Johnson Sorenson (Don); sons David Johnson (Mary) and Jeff Johnson (Laura); 9 grandchildren, and a new grandchild by marriage. Memorial donations may be made to the First United Methodist Church of Olympia. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 23, 1:00 pm at the First United Methodist Church, 1224 Legion Way SE, Olympia, WA, followed by a time of fellowship, along with one of Eileen’s favorite treats in the later years, root beer floats! The family would love to have the opportunity to greet you and thank you for your presence in Eileen’s life. If you are unable to attend please know you made a difference in Eileen’s life and that her children are very appreciate of that fact. Please leave memories and condolences by clicking on "View Guestbook" below.