Ann Cecilia Johnson Obituary (1931 - 2020)

Ann Cecilia Johnson, 89, passed away peacefully in her sleep in Visalia, California on February 9, 2020. Ann was born on February 8, 1931 to Melchior and Elizabeth Eberhard and had five brothers and six sisters. She was predeceased by her loving husband of 59 years, Rodney H. Johnson, and is survived by her daughter Marian (Rick) Fritzemeier of Modesto, her son Mark (Barbara) Santos-Johnson of Seattle, her daughter Lisa (Dave) Bryant of Visalia, and her son Jim Johnson of Cameron Park. She is survived by one brother, Larry (Adorine) Eberhard of Mukilteo, WA. She is also survived by seven grandchildren - Kristen (Jeremy) Rogers, Michelle (Kory) Harrington, Patrick Santos-Johnson, Andy (Jen) Revoltar, Fred Bryant, Joanne Bryant, and Kayla Johnson, plus three great-grandchildren - Parker and Khloe Rogers and Kylie Harrington. As a child, Ann enjoyed playing baseball on the empty lot next to their family home and going to the Sacramento Solons baseball games. She was an avid Yankees fan throughout her life. She was an active girl and in fact broke the same arm three times! She enjoyed her 11 siblings. Her favorite nun at St. Francis was Sister Bernerd. She was fortunate to have this nun for three years for 3rd grade, 7th grade, and 8th grade. She enjoyed learning history and English from Sister Bernerd all four years of high school. Also, she was in Sister Bernerd's homeroom class in 10th grade. Ann attended St. Francis High School and she was an excellent student and active in student government. She also played basketball and softball for her high school. Ann and her sister Claire enjoyed riding the bus to their sister Francie's home on weekends to help her with her small children. Ann's senior year she won the accounting award. After graduating from St. Francis High School in 1949, Ann worked for Bishop Armstrong for the Diocese of Sacramento as a bookkeeper. She married the love of her life, Rodney Johnson, on April 17, 1955, at St. Francis Church in Sacramento. In 1963 Ann and her family moved to Placerville where she lived for more than forty years before moving to Cameron Park for ten years and then Visalia for the last five years where she lived in Quail Park Assisted Living near her youngest daughter, Lisa, and her family. Ann was a devoted wife and mother who centered her life around her faith and her family. She was an active member of St. Patrick's Altar Society for many years, a PTA president, a 4-H Club leader and sewing leader, a Girl Scout day camp leader, and a Little League coach. She actively supported her children's many 4-H projects, including rabbits, beef, sheep, swine, dog care, sewing, and baking. Ann also worked in the El Dorado County 4-H office as a Program Assistant for a short time after her children finished high school. Ann enjoyed camping with her family and relatives, including the Scott family, Johnson family, and the McLoed family. She went tent camping when the children were growing up and later RV camping with a fifth-wheel trailer. Fallen Leaf Lake and Pinecrest were two of her favorite destinations, but she also traveled with Rodney camping in California, the Pacific Northwest, and Canada. She also really enjoyed playing cards with Rodney, her children and grandchildren, and family and friends. Ann was a very talented and creative person. She was an excellent seamstress and craftsperson. She helped setup the 4-H Home Arts building at the El Dorado County Fair and one year won the adult sewing sweepstakes at the fair. Over the years, she particularly loved crafting: florals, ornaments, painted wood work, wreaths, and swags. Her first craft show was in her dining room with other crafter friends--they called themselves "Silver Bells". Later she sold her crafts at Candy Cane Lane in Sacramento. She shared her love of crafting with her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and her extended family. She was a volunteer founder of the Mother Teresa Maternity Home in Placerville. She and Rodney furnished one of the bedrooms in honor of Ann' sister Teresa. Early on Ann was in charge of the annual luncheon to support the home. She always loved decorating a themed table for the guests she invited and donating a basket for the fundraising drawing. She enjoyed doing crafts with the moms living at the home, especially decorating pink or blue Christmas trees for their babies. Ann especially treasured spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She loved camping, playing cards, and baking. She mainly just loved playing with them. She knew how to have fun and was a favorite play mate to each of her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She worked hard to create and sustain traditions for her family and extended family: Eberhard family picnics, birthday parties, bridal showers, nimble fingers, barbecues and holidays. Christmas was her favorite. Her Catholic faith was a central part of her life. She taught her children about faith, service and compassion, values, and the importance of family and extended family. She was an incredibly kind, gracious, faithful, and caring person who meant the world to her extended family and friends. She touched the lives of many and definitely made the world a better place. Her family gives thanks for her life and will miss her greatly. The Vigil Service will take place on Thursday, February 20, 2020, from 6 to 8 PM at the Green Valley Mortuary and Cemetery in Rescue, CA. The Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Friday, February 21, 2020, at 11 AM at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Placerville, CA immediately followed by a luncheon reception at the Church hall. The Rite of Committal will follow at 2:30 PM at St. Patrick's Cemetery, Green Street in Placerville. The family thanks Quail Park Assisted Living, Kaweah Delta Hospice, Kaweah Delta Private Home Care, and Dr. Angela Pap for their tender care of Ann. Also, the family greatly appreciates family friend Vivian Gerdelman for her compassionate, fun, and loving care of Ann. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Ann's name, to the Mother Teresa Maternity Home, 3122 Sacramento St. Placerville, CA 95667 www.motherteresamaternityhome.com