It was a joyous day in July for the Johnson and Lack families when Kathy Johnson was born in Phoenix Arizona.
After a difficult pregnancy and delivery grandpa Joe (Rev. Lack) performed the baby dedication for his first grandchild with tears streaming.
Her parents moved to Oregon during her toddler years where it was discovered at two that she had the diabetes which also plagued her mother Linda Johnson.
Despite the difficult disease she went on to graduate from Santiam Christian High School in 1992 along with best friends Julie Hill and Julie Rose. Julie R. remembers that she loved singing in the choir with her sweet soprano voice.
Afterwards she completed 2 degrees at LBCC. A two year AGS in March 2000 and then a nursing degree in 2002.
Kathy worked in specialties such as Labor and Delivery and for the Mennonite Home. She was known as being a caring nurse who often prayed for her patients behind the scenes.
Her dry sense of humor was evident. When young cousin Emma told her that she wanted to become a "baby nurse" like her, Kathy told her to repeat this phrase "This is the most beautiful baby I have ever seen!" Then she informed her that she would be using this phrase over and over.
Kathy and her parents loved Disneyland and would go there on long weekends driving straight through.
Another of Kathy's loves were her dogs Daisy and Lucy and her cat Lily.
Kathy will be inurned and placed in her mother's grave near Linda's heart.
Survivors include father Barry Johnson; grandmother Vera Lack; uncle Steve Lack; aunt Melodie Lack Mills (spouse) uncle James Mills (cousin)Valerie Mills; Uncle Randy Lack(spouse)Aunt Dani and cousins Emma, Madi and Nathan(Lack); as well as many other aunts, uncles and cousins of the Johnson family; and special love Richy Gardener.
The family would like to thank Erik Johnson, Sherri Campbell and Brett Huff for your many kindnesses.
AAsum-Dufour is handling arrangements and will forward any donations to the American Diabetes Association or NAMI.
Memorial service will be held October 3,2015 at 10:00 a.m. at Albany First Assembly church.