Karen Moniz Johnson

1955 - 2017

Karen Moniz Johnson obituary, 1955-2017, San Jose, CA

BORN

1955

DIED

2017

Karen Johnson Obituary

Karen Moniz Johnson
Jun. 4, 1955-Jun. 9, 2017
San Jose
.Karen Moniz Johnson died peacefully Friday morning, June 9 due to the aggressive recurrence of breast cancer. It was her third bout of breast cancer, having been first diagnosed in 1994, then again in 2004. She faced her illness throughout with courage and strength unmitigated by treatment or fear of death, perhaps unexpected for one who worried and feared so much for her children. Karen grew up in Sacramento with parents of Portuguese and German heritage, but had been living in San Jose for the past 39 years. Although she lived a humble, private life, her impact was outsize, for she had many qualities that endeared people powerfully to her: solicitude, honesty, kindness, an unwavering devotion to her family, a marvelous musical talent, and a pure, uninhibited laugh. And all these qualities, having been wholly born out of an authentic character never veiled by affectation, were, for that reason, compelling of glowing warmth and admiration from those who knew her. It was especially her musical ability that drew people to her, for Karen was a fine pianist, a skill she cultivated over her entire life. She received a performance degree with honors from Sacramento State, however, it would take her quite a while to pursue a full time professional music career, doing so only after her final child was seven years old. Fortunately, her career immediately found success that built upon itself until she had to turn down jobs for fear of not spending enough time with her children. Her most cherished musical activities were playing the Taize Meditation Service at Stone church, the Vivace Children's Chorus, the Orchard City Chorus, St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, and teaching her students. Much to Karen's delight, on many an occasion her husband would join her in playing.
Besides music, Karen enjoyed spending time on the family farm in Minnesota, socializing and card games with family and friends, swimming, and gardening. She is survived by her husband, Bob; sons, Erik, Kristian, and Paul; mother, Elizabeth; brother, Peter; granddaughters, Meira and Serene; sisters-in-law, Suzanne and Linda; and daughter-in-law, Sunmi. A memorial service for Karen will be held at Stone Church on June 22, 7pm. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to a memorial fund for Vivace Children's Chorus.


View the online memorial for Karen Moniz Johnson

Published by San Jose Mercury News/San Mateo County Times on Jun. 18, 2017.
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Memories and Condolences
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3 Entries

I went to Foothill Junior High and Foothill High School in Sacramento with Karen and have just learned of her passing. We were hoping to locate her for our upcoming 50th Reunion. Karen was always a lot of fun. I remember her smile. My deepest condolences to her family. It was too soon for her to go.

Debbie Dunehew Krencicki

School

August 2, 2023

We are gathering up contact info for our classmates from Foothill High School for the reunion of our graduating class. I ran across this obituary and it makes me sad...yet so happy for all of us who knew her. It is so uplifting to know her life was filled with family and music. I, too, will never forget her laugh. We always compared it to the laugh of Phyllis Diller. Karen, I love you.

Patty Brown

School

August 2, 2023

We miss Karen. She played piano for long time with my daugter at Vivace. Love to her family.

Ma Chen

November 14, 2017

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Memorial Events
for Karen Johnson

Jun

22

Memorial service

7:00 p.m.

Stone Church

San Jose, CA

Jun

24

Burial

2:30 p.m.

St. Mary's Cemetery

Sacramento, CA

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