I moved to Denver in 1975. It was for my first job out of college and it was at Porter where she worked. I knew no one in Denver except for one family I grew up with in Minneapolis. Joan was the first friend I made. We sang together in the Colorado Concert Chorale and I’d drive her big Ford van and she’d entertain the passengers when we did concerts out of town. Her laughter was infectious and she could get a laugh, or at least a smile out of anyone.

We sang in the Denver South Choir, and when she started the children’s choir, she asked me to be their accompanist. When she was asked to do a solo for Sabbath School or Church, she’d ask me to accompany her. When I bought my first home, she shifted into Mom mode, enlisted my friends help, conscripted her sons Tim and Daniel, and they all helped me scrub the house down before I moved in.

When I got tired of shoveling snow and decided to move to San Diego in 1984, I knew she was going to be the hardest one to tell I was leaving Denver. Sure enough, she again shifted into “Mom” mode and started worrying about the gangs there.

But we didn’t let distance interfere with our friendship. By the time she got to San Diego to visit another friend, I’d moved to Long Beach. So we rendezvoused in San Clemente. For my 40th and 50th birthday I went to Denver. She introduced me to tiramisu! I missed my 60th birthday by 2 years, but in 2013 my partner and I went to Denver and I got to introduce her to Bill.

I had no way of knowing that would be my last time to see her. To share a meal. To see her bright smile. To hear her signature laugh.

She was an unforgettable friend. She will be missed.  

Just adding my condolences to the family of Joan Johnson, and sharing some memories. 

Joan was such a faithful, beautiful friend who was present for me during four meaningful moments of my life. She came to feed me after an accident in 1990, and she showed up just at the right time when I needed her help when my mother was in hospital for the last time.  She helped coordinate my wedding to my late husband Ed Gallagher, and then assisted me to plan a second memorial service for Ed at Denver South Church in 2018. Always there…..always ready to help. 

I loved to sing with Joan along with our friend Mary Lou. I loved Joan’s laughter and smile and adventurous spirit. I also valued highly the trust & level of sharing in our friendship. Joan would do just about anything for you, and often sacrificed herself for others. See you in heaven dear friend!

When my wife and I got married at the Denver South SDA Church in December of 1991, we were very disorganized. Joan stepped in and took control in a very kind and positive way. 

She was always kind and positive in all of our interactions with her.