FRANCES LORRAINE JOHNSON

Frances Lorraine Johnson passed away peacefully on March 9, 2011. Frances was born in Seattle, Washington, January 12, 1922 to Dorothy Clara Hilda Goodwin and Leroy Goodwin.

Frances was preceded in death by her husband of 56 years, Helmer Arthur Johnson and two children, Karen Louise and John Dewey Johnson, her mother, Dorothy and stepfather, James Dewey Smith.

She is survived by her sister, Judie A. Greene of Bellingham, as well as many nieces and nephews including: Dani and Anthony Cox of Mount Vernon, Eric and Lisa Crinklaw of Bonnie Lake, Johnny and Kathy Thibeault of Kingston, Forrest and Mary Thibeault of Kingston, Doug and Leslie Sellers of Seattle. Also, sister-in-law Neva Johnson of Kingston, and sister-in-law Vendla Ries and her husband Earl of Nordland.

On June 9, 1945, Frances married Helmer Arthur (Art) Johnson. For the next fifteen years Art worked as a millwright and machinist in the Skagit Valley area and Frances was a homemaker, working part time for Smith & Russel Logging Company and part-time for the Hamilton Post Office. In 1960 Art and Frances bought the Acme Grocery Store in Acme, Washington and operated it until 1972. At that time they purchased their home in Rolling Ridge and moved to Sedro-Woolley, Washington.

After retiring from the grocery business, Frances took up the game of bowling. She loved bowling and has a box of trophies proving her success. During her lifetime, Frances was a superb homemaker with the magic touch when it came to cooking and gardening. She was an avid reader, she played the organ and she loved her flowers as well as the birds and squirrels that frequented her back yard. She especially loved her beloved little dog, Bailey. The coffee pot was always on and neighbors and family were always welcome for a visit and a cup of coffee. She will be greatly missed by all of her family and close friends.

Visitation for Frances is scheduled for Friday, March 25, 2011 from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM and 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM on March 26, 2011 at Hawthorne Funeral Home, Mount Vernon, Washington. Chapel services will be held at 1:00 PM on March 26, 2011 at Hawthorne Funeral Home, Mount Vernon, Washington. Private entombment to follow at Hawthorne Memorial Park Mausoleum.

Full arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Hawthorne Funeral Home and Memorial Park, Mount Vernon, Washington.

The family wishes to thank the staff at Life Care Center of Skagit Valley for their good and compassionate care during Frances last days.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Skagit County Humane Society.