Patricia B. Johnson

Although Patricia Johnson will be deeply missed, the footprint she leaves behind will remain for generations to come. A vivacious and spirited woman, she was a believer in working hard to achieve great things. Pats devotion to her community was unmatched, and her mission to better the world around her provides us all with much to aspire for. She accomplished so much of which she could be so proud, yet Pat was a humble woman whose greatest source of pride and joy was her ever-blossoming family tree. A true blessing in every way, she leaves behind a brilliant mosaic of memories that will remain forever near and dear to the hearts of many. Although the decade of the thirties was a time of crippling hardship due to the unrelenting grip of the Great Depression, the American spirit could not be broken. Families, neighborhoods, and communities came together to weather the storm as best they could, finding little glimpses of joy along the way. The year 1937 was a year to celebrate in the lives of one young couple from Empire, Michigan, as they were thrilled to welcome a baby girl into their hearts and home. Baby Patricia Anne was born on May 23rd and was adopted as an infant by her parents, Amos and Mary (Decker) Bell. The family moved to Muskegon when Pat was still very young, and she was raised in the family home on Meurer Court in the Lakeside neighborhood. For the most part Pat experienced a childhood that was rather typical for young people her age. Along with her family, she attended St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church. Pats earliest years as a student found her at a Catholic elementary school followed by Bunker Jr. High and Muskegon High School. She was a carefree teenager who made friends with ease and had a very active social life. It was during her years in high school that Pat met the young man with whom she would share a lifetime of love. His name was Charles " Chuck" Johnson, II, and they met at a dance at Vanderlaan School. He was one year her senior and from North Muskegon, and he asked young Pat out on a date. Since she had a full calendar, it took Patricia a whole month to have an evening free, but the couple finally had their first date. They were smitten with each other right from the start, and a dating relationship ensued over the five years that followed as Chuck went away to college. After graduating from high school Pat began working in the office for Dr. John McNair in Muskegon. After graduating from Colgate University, Chuck came home and married his sweetheart on August 2, 1958, at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church. The newlyweds soon moved to Madison, Wisconsin, where Chuck attended law school. While there Pat found work operating the comptometer at the Dairy Equipment Company. With their free time the couple was able to make great friends with whom they remained close throughout the rest of Pats life. When Chuck finished school the couple returned to Muskegon and settled in Glenside Gardens Apartments for a time before moving to the Farmwood neighborhood in Norton Shores. Pat and Chuck were thrilled to become parents to their son, Charles Trip, in 1964. He was followed by Julia in 1966 and Peter in 1968. Eventually the Johnsons settled in North Muskegon where Pat remained for the rest of her life. She was a great mom who was very involved with her children. Pat had a way of making each day a new adventure and was always game to try anything. As a family they enjoyed numerous fun-filled skiing trips, and they also regularly sailed together. Over the years they owned a dozen different boats and took several trips on the Great Lakes and also in Florida, the Bahamas, and the Virgin Islands. A woman who was always looking to enrich her life, Pat took on some new challenges later in life. She took classes at Muskegon Community College and Aquinas College for a time, and in the mid-seventies she began her generous service to the community when she was elected as the first female to the Muskegon Area Intermediate School District Board of Trustees. Over the next few years Pat served on several other boards before becoming the first full-time employee for the recently formed Muskegon County Community Foundation. In 1981 she became the foundations president and CEO, and she continued to serve in that position until retiring in 1999. Even after retiring she continued to serve as its chairman emeritus. During her tenure Pat grew the foundations funds from three million dollars to over eighty million dollars in assets. She was a great steward of the foundations funds, allocating them to the areas she felt would best serve the entire community. Pats acts of service to her community extended to other areas as well. She served on over 20 boards and commissions around Muskegon and throughout the state. In recognition of her efforts, Pat received numerous awards and honors through the years including: Most Influential Woman in West Michigan Business Rotary Club, the Paul Harris Fellow Award, and an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Baker College just to name a few. During their retirement years Pat enjoyed having more time off. She and Chuck traveled the world, often on cruises including to the Far East, the Mediterranean region, and the Panama Canal among many others. They also had a condo in Florida where they spent many winters. They made countless friends down there and always looked forward to the visits from their children and grandchildren. Pat was a proud member of the WOTS group of lady friends, and she was also a member of a local book club. She was great at playing bridge and backgammon, and she also enjoyed doing crossword puzzles. Together Pat and Chuck were very social people who had a large group of friends, and over the years they attended numerous parties and functions. No matter what was going on in her life, Pats first priority was always her family. When grandchildren arrived she was overjoyed, and she always made time for them no matter how busy her schedule was. When she was diagnosed with cancer a few years ago, Pat fought hard and seemed to have the disease under control. Sadly, just this past fall it returned with a vengeance. A kindhearted, generous, and compassionate woman, Patricia Johnson was an extraordinary woman to know and love. She worked tirelessly for the community she loved, yet there was nothing more precious than the family she shared with the love of her life. Pat will be deeply missed and warmly remembered. Patricia B. Johnson died on Tuesday, January 3, 2012. Pats family includes her husband, Charles; children, Charles E. "Trip" Johnson III & wife, Dr. Nina F. Johnson and their children, Chase, Aya, Paul, Reiko; Julia J. Linnane & husband, Sean P. Linnane and their children, Meg, Kate, Patrick; Peter C. Johnson & wife, Julie A. Johnson and their children, Hope & Cole. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, January 7, 2012, 11:00 a.m. at St. Francis deSales Catholic Church with Rev. Fr. Phil Salmonowicz officiating. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to leave a memory.