Jean Johnson

Deceased: 16 February 2016

Under: Obituary
Jean Johnson

It is with sad hearts that we announce the passing of Jean Johnson at home with her husband and children by her side. She was predeceased by her parents Olga and Steve Zaharichuk and a sister Kathy. Jean will be greatly missed by her loving husband Steve; children John (Griffin), Stephanie (Kent), and Elizabeth; grandchildren Saskia, Tasha, and Avaleigh; sister Evelyn (Michael); and nephews and nieces Arthur, Andrew (Jackie), Jeannie (David), Jennifer, and Shaun; her great-nephews and nieces Jake, Eamon, Kai, Nikko, Alex, Bryce, Fifi, and Katie, as well as numerous friends. Jean was an amazing woman - intelligent, disciplined, loving, adventurous, extremely generous, courageous, and so much more. She was born in Alberta, the second of three sisters. She was descended from a long line of feisty women and strong men. She relished her Ukrainian heritage and learned how to make pysanky (Easter eggs) and wheat weavings, as well as the many delicious Ukrainian foods. She received a BEd (1978) and a Licentiate in Accounting (1981) from UBC. Jean taught elementary school grades in Surrey and hand-built a house with her then-husband Jack (father of her children John and Stephanie). In 1982, she moved to Saudi Arabia, where she worked as a Financial Analyst for Aramco, the Saudi oil company. Moving back to the island, Jean worked at UVic for the Dean of Science and then as the Coordinator of the Fiscal Framework in the Ministry of Education. Jean was an active community volunteer as the chair of the Marine Mammal Museum in Sidney and the treasurer and director of the Sierra Club of Western Canada. She was also active with the South Vancouver Island Mycological Society, holding, at various times, the offices of president, secretary, chair of membership, and treasurer. She also worked with the Citizen's Coalition for Conservation which successfully lobbied to have Roberts Bay maintained as a bird sanctuary. Jean and Steve have travelled widely, sometimes for Steve's work as a consulting biologist; for birding trips; for hunting, fishing and mushrooming expeditions; or to visit family in far-off locations. Together they have been to Turkmenistan, Brazil, the Galapagos Islands, Chile, France, Botswana, Russia, South Africa, Australia, Tasmania, Hawaii, and extensively in BC. The bare bones of Jean's life reflect her energy, enthusiasm, hard work, and drive, but more than these, Jean was a person of integrity whose primary passion was her devotion and love for her immediate and extended family. As a final gift to her family, Jean gathered together a large archive of family documents from the time of her great grandparents' immigration to Canada. She turned this archive into four large photobooks which followed the main branches of the family and, typically of Jean, also included stories and photos of those who have married into the family. The gift is for current family members and also for future generations. As part of her personal growth, with her final illness Jean learned the practices of contemplation, meditation, and gratitude. Jean would be the first to recommend a daily time for gratitude reflection. Fly free, dearest Jean. The family thanks all those whose care over the course of Jean's illness have made her life so much more comfortable, including her GP Dr. Ewan Cadger, those at the BC Cancer Agency, and those who work in the palliative care practice, particularly Dr. Ryan Liebsher. It was Jean's wish that her life should be celebrated with a hootenanny with singing and dancing. This will be held on May 7. In memory of Jean Johnson, donations may be made to Ovarian Cancer Canada, 831 - 470 Granville Street, Vancouver, BC V6C 1V5.

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