KAY ANN JOHNSON

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Hampshire College University of Chicago University of Wisconsin

KAY JOHNSON Obituary

JOHNSON, Kay Ann Age 73, of Amherst, MA, passed away on Wednesday, August 14, 2019 from complications of metastatic breast cancer. Born in Chicago, IL, she was the daughter of Helen Johnson and D. Gale Johnson, renowned agricultural economist, professor, and former provost of the University of Chicago. Kay earned her B.A., M.A., and Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She was a professor of Asian studies and political science at Hampshire College in Amherst, MA for over 40 years. She authored three scholarly books, and her research on China's one-child policy and adoption practices both within China and abroad has been foundational to the examination of the policy and its impact on countless people. She was also a dedicated and extraordinary teacher who supervised hundreds of undergraduate theses at Hampshire. In addition to the widescale impact of her scholarship, Kay was also one of the first parents to adopt a child from China, and contributed greatly to both the New England and New York chapters of Families with Children from China. Her humanitarian efforts also included an instrumental role with Fu Ai, an organization providing medical support to orphans affected by HIV and AIDS in Fuyang, China. Kay is survived by her husband, Bill Grohmann of Amherst, MA; her son, Jesse Johnson, 33, of Hefei, China, and his partner, Mutong; and daughter, LiLi Johnson, 28, of Madison, WI, and her partner, Andrew; her brother, David of Sinking Springs, PA and wife, Jennifer. A Memorial Service will be planned for the fall. For those wishing to make a donation in Kay's memory, contributions can be made to the Hampshire Fund in her name at donate.hampshire.edu

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Published by Boston Globe from Aug. 17 to Aug. 18, 2019.

Memories and Condolences
for KAY JOHNSON

7 Entries

Linda Gordon Teetaert

October 20, 2020

Kay was my college roommate at UW Madison
during our undergraduate days. What her obituary does not state is that aside from her amazing intellect she was a vibrant, beautiful young woman who was popular, charming, a force to be reckoned with and one of the dearest friends I could hope to have. She was my fellow Delta Gamma sorority sister and was a Badger Beauty. I bet some of her students didn’t know that! Sadly, after graduation no one seemed to know what happened to her. As close as we all were, our lives took different shapes and directions and as happens, we lost touch. We all knew Kay was on the move to bigger and better things. No surprise there. I sent holiday cards and periodically googled her and last Sunday I saw her obituary. I am so sad I didn’t hear her voice one more time. After hearing she adopted LiLi and became so involved in the lives of the Chinese parents who had to give up their children reminds me of the compassionate and loving woman she was. Sending love to her husband, son and daughter and all her students who appreciated Kay as much as I did.

Marina Vanrenssen

August 26, 2019

Kay's books and research helped me understand my adopted Chinese daughters' backgrounds. Her work was so helpful and informative. Our family is stronger for it.
My heart goes out to her family and friends. Thank you, Kay, for all your good work.

August 21, 2019

Bill, I am so very sad for your loss and for your children's. May her memory be a blessing.

Linnea Lee

August 20, 2019

I was Kay's student several years ago, but the impact she made on me remains incredibly strong. Kay changed my life (not an overstatement). Kay was a very inspiring professor who put substantial time and effort into helping her students grow. I am beyond grateful to have been one of the many beneficiaries of her commitment to her students, her brilliant mind, and her constant encouragement to challenge assumptions and take a creative approach to exploring difficult questions. I wish I could thank Kay one more time for her impact on my life. I feel oh so very lucky to have had the chance to be one of her students ❤

Yi Wang

August 20, 2019

Kay was such a inspiring professor and uncompromising researcher. She challenged us intellectually and helped me explore my identity. I live by many advice she has given me and I will always do. Zhang Ying from Fuyang children with AIDS Salvation sent their condolences. Thank you so much for everything you did for the kids. We miss you.

Noreen Reilly

August 20, 2019

As an adoptive parent of a child born in China and as one who has always been impressed with the quality and depth of Kay Johnson's research, I was very saddened to learn of her death. My sincerest condolences to her family and friends.

Xiuran Wang

August 18, 2019

It saddens me greatly to hear the passing of Professor Kay Johsnon.

Kay was my mentor and the chair/memeber of my Div 2 and 3 academic committee at Hampshire College during my undergraduate study (2010-2014). My college education plays a significant role as to who I am today, and Kay was at the center of that education I got.

It was a pleasant surprise when I learned that Kay established the Hampshire China Exchange Program with Anhui Agricultural University located at Hefei,Anhui, which is my hometown. It was a wonderful experience to meet Kay and her family back in my hometown in the summer of 2011. It really connected my life back in China and in the US, and it felt like destined.

I am extremely grateful to have known Kay as a mentor and a friend. May you rest in peace. You will always be missed.

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