Virginia Marie Johnson, 86
passed peacefully 'to be with her Lord and angels' on March 9, 2008. She was surrounded by family.
Virginia was born May 31, 1922, to Bert and Louise Johns, the second of six daughters. Virginia was raised and lived most of her life in Missoula. She went to Willard Grade School and Missoula County High School.
She had a wonderful life growing up in Missoula with her large, extended Lebanese family of aunts, uncles and cousins. Her family life was filled with great Lebanese food, music, laughter and dancing. Virginia continued to have a great love of music, especially jazz and dancing, most notably jitter-bugging.
Virginia worked for the Civil Service during World War II at Fort Missoula and in California, with her lifelong best friend, Jeanne Beaulieu Tardiff. When she came home on leave from California, she fell in love with the boy next door. Virginia and Nestor were married May 7, 1951. They lived in Missoula and raised their five children, Greg, Louann, Elaine, Marcelle and Mark. She felt blessed to be a stay-at-home mom for years. Virginia loved babies throughout her lifetime and could give a blow-by-blow description of their every nuance.
Virginia went back to work when the kids were older, in retail clothing and sold Avon. She then worked at Jack & Jill Nursery for years as the secretary and office manager. She was affectionately known as 'Johnson' to the children.
Virginia retired and enjoyed traveling to see her children, grandchildren, family and friends. She loved to bake and have big get-togethers.
Virginia's all time favorite leisure activity was shopping at Herberger's. She became such a frequent shopper that they offered her a job. She chose to volunteer as her health became too unpredictable. The day before she passed, she asked her daughter, Elaine, 'Do you think you could take me to Herberger's today?'
Virginia was a sweet, gentle, nurturing soul. She had an undaunted spirit of optimism. All who knew Virginia felt a deep connection and love.
Virginia was a life-long member of St. Anthony Parish, volunteering with the Alter Society. She was also the matriarch of 'The Fun-Du Club.'
She was preceded in death by her parents, Bert and Louise Johns; sisters, Eva Khoury, Jackie Ward and Angie Bryson; and best friend, Jeanne Beaulieu Tardiff.
She is survived by her husband of 57 years, Nestor; sisters, Adeline Briscoe and Dody Elliott; her children, Greg and Lynn Johnson of Kalispell, Louann and Jim Convey of Denver, Elaine Johnson and Franz Barthel of Kalispell, Marcelle and Robert Taft of Seattle, and Mark and Debbie Johnson of Missoula; grandchildren, Robert Aaron, Angela Marie, Katie, Nicole Marie, Amanda Marie, Wyatt and Logan Marie; great- grandchildren, Brooklyn, Halee-Ann, Arriana and Grace; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, March 13, at Garden City Funeral Home in Missoula. A vigil service will begin at 7 p.m.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Friday, March 14, at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Missoula. A reception will follow the Mass in the Parish Center. Interment will follow the reception in New St. Mary's Cemetery at 4:30 p.m.
Donations can be made in Virginia's name to either Teen Challenge, St. Anthony's, or Watson's Children's Shelter.