Joan Elizabeth Johnson

Joan Elizabeth Johnson, as kind, caring, selfless and giving a woman as has ever existed, died on September 18, 2024 after a long series of health challenges. She was 87 years old.

 “Joanie” was beloved by all who came to know her, especially her family, for whom she was a constant guiding light and source of unending inspiration. Joanie was always there for her husband, children and grandchildren, and was never happier than when she was surrounded by them — as she was when she passed away at her home in Murray, Utah.

 Joanie was born on June 22, 1937, in Seattle, Wash., and in 1955 graduated from Everett High School, where she was a straight-A student, drill team member and homecoming royalty her senior year.

 Joan attended college and worked a series of jobs after graduation. She married her high school sweetheart, Harry Baird (1937—2024) in 1956. Together they had four children (Joseph, Susan, Kathleen and Daniel) before divorcing in 1967.

 Nobody showed more grit and courage than Joanie did as a single mother, raising four young kids, including an infant. After relocating her family from San Francisco to Seattle, she went back to work as an office administrator, and kept her children fed and clothed for the next three years.

 Those were tough, lonely times for a young single mom, but Joanie was undaunted. She ran a tight ship and doled out an endless supply of love and support to her children, no matter how difficult things got. And there were some dark, dark days.

 But eventually, the light broke through.

 Joan met Edward Johnson in 1968, and the two fell almost instantly in love, marrying in 1969. Ed, who worked for the Boeing Co. at the time, brought a daughter, Julie, into the fold from his first marriage. It marked the beginning of a joyous 56-year marriage. Once the new couple relocated to Salt Lake City in 1971, they got down to the business of raising five children, attending countless University of Utah football games and rooting their kids on — whether it was choral concerts, or football games and wrestling and gymnastics meets. The camping and fishing trips were plentiful and unforgettable. After Ed retired in 2000, he and Joanie traveled throughout the U.S. and Europe.

 Rarely were Joan and Ed apart. Truly, they were soul mates.

 Joanie was forever indomitable in spirit but struggled mightily with physical health during her later years. Numerous and varied health challenges presented a large range of setbacks which took their toll over the last decade or so of her life. But Joanie soldiered on. She never complained. Her focus was always on her husband, children and grandchildren. She was a shimmering example of heart, toughness and courage, right to the end.

 Joan is survived by her husband, Edward Johnson, children Joseph Baird (Jane Peterson), Susan Baird, Kathleen Nau (Brian Nau), Julie Johnson (Amy Morrison) and Daniel Baird; brothers Jerry and Ed Gerdon, seven grandchildren and five great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents Earle and Rose Gerdon, brother Joe Gerdon and sister Barbara Tandy.

 Joan will be interred at Memorial Holladay Cemetery in a private family ceremony. A celebration of Joanie’s life will be held next spring in Murray, Utah.

 In lieu of flowers or gifts, the family requests any donations be sent to the World Wildlife Fund  https://www.worldwildlife.org

The family also would like to extend its thanks and appreciation to Dignity Hospice Services, especially Drea, who provided Joanie with tremendous and heartfelt care in her final weeks.