Jean Marie Johnson

Jean Marie Johnson, age 99, a longtime Walla Walla resident, passed away at St. Joseph Care Center in Spokane on October 26, 2022.

She was born in Eugene, Oregon, on February 14, 1923, to Walter Arbuthnot and Harriet Van Tassel Arbuthnot.

She spent her early childhood in Oregon's Willamette Valley, living in Silverton and Albany. When she was 16, she and her family moved to Milton-Freewater, where Jean attended high school. An excellent student, she graduated from McLoughlin High School (Mac-Hi) in 1941, being honored as Salutatorian of her graduating class.

After high school graduation, she was awarded a scholarship to attend Northwest Business College in Spokane, where she graduated in 1942. After working for a time in Spokane, she returned to the Walla Walla Valley and began work at Seattle-First National Bank.

The mother of Jean's close friend was a registered nurse at McCaw Army Hospital near Fort Walla Walla and encouraged her daughter and Jean to visit bedridden patients there. It was during one of her volunteer hospital visits that Jean met her future husband, Harmon Johnson, from Kentucky, who was being treated for serious injuries suffered while serving during World War II on Army duty on Kiska Island, Alaska.

Jean and Harmon were married on January 7, 1945, in the McCaw chapel. They then settled together in Walla Walla, where they lived and raised their four children.

Jean worked for several years at First Federal Savings & Loan. Subsequently, she began employment at Whitman College, beginning in the Penrose Memorial Library and then serving as Executive Assistant to the President and Board of Trustees of the college until her retirement.

Following Harmon's death in 2008, Jean remained in the family home until 2015, when she moved to Wheatland Village. In 2018 she moved from Walla Walla to Providence Emilie Court Assisted Living in Spokane.

She was a longtime member of the First Presbyterian Church, PEO Chapter DX, Alki Chapter #25 Order of Eastern Star, Daughters of the Nile, and Daughters of the American Revolution.

Jean enjoyed reading, playing bridge, visiting the Oregon Coast, baking, bicycling, knitting, and playing board games. But her greatest joy came from spending time with her family. She was devoted to her family, al­ways giving her time and energy for their benefit. She always was there to help her children with their home­ work and never missed any of their games or school events. She was kind, caring, gracious, generous, and had a wonderful sense of humor. Most importantly, she always made everyone around her feel special.

She is survived by her four children: Phillip (Ellen) of Port Ludlow, Eric (Kim) of Spokane, Craig (Debbie) of Walla Walla, and Julie (Steve Byers) of Boise. In addition, she is survived by ten grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, her sister, Beverley McRae, of Milton Freewater, and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Harmon, and her brother, Alfred Arbuthnot.

A Memorial Service for Jean Johnson will be held at noon on Saturday, November 5, 2022, at the Walla Walla Presbyterian Church, 325 S 1st Ave, Walla Walla.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to the Shriners Hospitals for Children through the Herring Groseclose Funeral Home, 315 W. Alder St., Walla Walla, WA 99362. In addition, friends and family are invited to sign the online guestbook at www.herringgroseclose.com.