Jeanette Johnson

07/17/1924 - 08/05/2021

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Obituary For Jeanette Johnson

On August 5, 2021, Jeanette Johnson, loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother passed away at the age of 97. She is survived by her children Jeff (Geri), Brad (Diane), and Dennis; her grandchildren Jeffrey, Daniel, David, Jessica, and Steven and their spouses; and her great-grandchildren Landen, Daniel, Charlotte, and Slade. Jeanette was preceded in death by her father Sigfrid, mother Nathalie, brother Oscar, and grandson Paul.

Jeanette was born in San Francisco and grew up in Oakland. As a young adult, she joined the Navy (WAVES) and supported her country during both WWII and the Korean War. During this time she attended both UC Berkeley and San Diego State. On March 19, 1954 she married Donald Johnson. They raised 3 sons- Jeff, Brad, and Dennis. From 1971 to 1989, she was a beloved attendance clerk at Irvington High School. She attended Neighborhood Church in Newark for many years. Jeanette will be remembered as patient, kind, intelligent and independent. Many people in Fremont will remember her driving around town in her blue 1964 Impala until the 2000s. She was involved in the lives of all of her grandchildren- volunteering at the school, attending sporting events, and imparting her values and wisdom to them daily. She loved to travel and had many adventures with her travel buddies. Later in life she enjoyed Starbucks, crossword puzzles, and Jeopardy- still beating her family members at Jeopardy just weeks before her passing. We are grateful to her loving caregivers who supported her in her last days.

A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, August 14, 2021 at Bridges Community Church at 11am. There will be a reception at the church immediately following the memorial service. Donations in her name may be made to Wounded Warrior Project, Bridges Community Church or KQED.

Services

14 Aug

Memorial Service

11:00 AM

Bridges Community Church 505 Driscoll Road Fremont, CA 94539 Get Directions »
by Obituary Assistant

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  • 10/01/2021

    2 files added to the tribute wall

  • 10/01/2021

    Jean was always fun to be around. Such an interesting person independent, intelligent, sharp. Her sharp mind is what always stood out to me, playing cards with her as a teenager at family gatherings, all the way to playing Scattergories on zoom during covid isolation last year. We were a varied group of family on zoom chatting and playing games ages ranging from 21 to 96 and she was still sharp enough to win some of the games! I pray my mind stays as young as hers! With our shared background in the military as young women, I always loved to hear her stories. Glad Jean was a part of my life experience and I look forward to her being one of the many souls greeting me when I move on to the other side.

  • 10/01/2021

    I met grandma Jean in 1999 when at that time, her grandson Jeff or “Jeffrey” as she always called him and I were just friends out of high school. I always remember her kind soul and how independent she was. In the years to come I moved in with Jeff my future husband, and his family in 2001. I was scared and my family had disowned me. Grandma Jean was always willing to talk to me, in fact we went to lunches, dinners, and movies frequently. But a couple of the many memories I have is of grandma taking me to see the Nutcracker for Christmas. I told her how fortunate her family and grandkids were to have her and how I always wished I had a “pretty, cool and nice American grandmother” she told me thank you, and that she became more than that to me. He’s loving nature and nurturing ways. Also she has this old vintage trunk her home filled with all these amazing mint condition clothes and items oooh it was like Christmas and Disneyland. She gifted me some amazing pieces; cardigans, skirts, jackets. I felt so honored that she would give me some priceless items. Grandma Never made me feel like less than family, still signing her name this past June in my birthday card. So many wonderful words many can say about Jean .. her smile, her piercing green eyes, but to me.. she was Grandma. Beautiful inside as she was outside. I’m privileged to be able to call her grandma. I’ll love and cherish her and my fond memories until one day. Love you grandma, :pray::skin-tone-2: :cherry_blossom::sparkling_heart:

  • 10/01/2021

    Jean is beautiful inside and out. She was always smiling and always with a super positive attitude. I loved to listen to her stories about when she was a child and a young woman in the Navy. Everytime I came to visit we all had a great time. I liked to say something funny or unexpected, because then I got to experience Jeans smile and the beautiful tinkle in her eyes. I will miss here until we meet again. Love you Jean, Teresa

  • 10/01/2021

    Im jean caregiver for almost 3years .i think im her first and last caregiver until she passed away.i met jean through diane her daughter inlaw..diane introduced me to jean , while at that time she was still mobile and seems like reluctantly not buying the idea of diane getting her a caregiver.i think its because she thinks she very healthy and walking around the house..to make my story short we became buddies and sharing a lot things. Jean loves to hear me singing strumming my guitar.jean is a very loving mother to her sons and she is so proud to all her grandchildren.jean is a happy person, very easy to be with,and a God fearing woman. I will cherish the memories i had with her..may her soul be rested forever

  • 10/01/2021

    Heaven has gained a other angel. Jean was an amazing woman, she loved her family and took care of her friends.When our mom was sick in Oregon she came and visited her with her son Dennis. She told us to go for a drive to give us a break and she stayed with mom as they were good friends. We are heart broken as we were coming to California in a couple weeks and were looking forward to seeing her. GOD Needed her more. RIP SWEET Jean

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