Jeanne Johnson Nash

Jeanne Johnson Nash Our wonderful mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend Jeanne Johnson Nash passed away peacefully on October 17, 2014 at age 92. She was surrounded by her loving family and will be greatly missed. Just 10 months earlier, she had lost her beloved husband Dick Nash at age 95. They were very devoted to one another, and had been lucky enough to celebrate their 70th anniversary on August 19, 2013. Mom had a long and accomplished life and was admired for her honesty, intelligence and compassion. She had a great deal of personal confidence and strength in her convictions, yet had the curiosity and open-mindedness to consider all viewpoints. She had a special sensitivity for the vulnerable, especially children and animals. She was a devoted mother and wife, who was deeply loved by her family, and also an incredible friend, home economist, board member, business partner, art collector, bridge and domino player, gardener, decorator, reader, and historian, among other things. She was a true intellectual who sought personal improvement through learning and discussing ideas, history, the arts, music, and politics. Jeanne was born in Eureka, CA on April 4, 1922 to Madeline Coonan Johnson and Arthur Johnson. Her mother died when she and her brother were small children, and a few years later she was fortunate that her new stepmother Clare Wagner Johnson lovingly took over. She always said her parents gave her the gift of a very happy childhood, and she enjoyed a long, loving relationship with them, as well as a new sister. She was proud to be a descendent of the Ohman-Coonan-Vance family, the great-niece of Amelia Carson, the godchild of Romayne (Mrs. Lloyd) Bridges, and warmly welcomed by her new step-family (Wagner). In addition, she cherished her association with her Johnson relatives in Sweden and communicated and visited often with them. Jeanne went to Lafayette Elementary School and Eureka Junior High where she was valedictorian in eighth grade. She graduated from Eureka Senior High School in 1939, and was crowned Miss Victory (Homecoming Queen). Mom played the cello and was also a member of the "Triple Trio," which won the Western Singing Award at the San Francisco World's Fair. She attended Oregon State College (University), where she enjoyed being a member of Chi Omega sorority, and she graduated with a bachelor of science in home economics. She met her future husband when she was set up on a blind date by Dick's Phi Delta Theta fraternity brother. After college Dick became a pilot for the US Navy, and Jeanne and Dick were married while he was on leave in Hollywood, Florida. Dick was stationed in the Aleutian Islands during WWII. While he was away Jeanne had their first child, Jack. Dick returned from the war and eventually became a partner with Jeanne's father Arthur Johnson and her brother Donn Johnson, at "Arthur Johnsons Men's Wear," which was a downtown Eureka landmark for 75 years (as well as in Arcata for 10 years). Later, son Jack Nash and friend, Thanos Dalianes became partners in the business. Jeanne and Marguerite Dalianes co-founded Dalianes Travel in 1975. Jeanne sold out her portion in 1978. She and Dick loved to travel, going to Europe 16 times, including family visits to see relatives in Sweden, as well as visits to Asia, Africa, New Zealand, South America, Russia, Canada, and all over the United States. They enjoyed learning about different cultures, taking adventurous or interesting trips; for example, observing animals in Africa and the Galapagos Islands, traveling by balloon across France, visiting inner-city food establishments in Morocco, and staying on a boat hotel at Dal Lake in Kashmir. For many years, Dick (with Jeanne) co-piloted small planes with friends, traveling to Mexico and stopping for gas and meals along the way. Jeanne and Dick also spent many years skiing with family and friends in Bend, OR and Vail, CO. In the early years, they stayed right on the mountain at the old Mt. Bachelor Lodge (now the ski resort lodge). Jeanne always said "attitude is everything," and that one of their favorite travel experiences was running aground on a sailing ship in the Caribbean and volunteering to help the crew. Jeanne was an amazing traveler and role model being flexible, respectful, and open-minded about other cultures and food. She considered travel to be an education as well as a chance to represent our country in a positive manner to other nations. Mom would take us school shopping in San Francisco each fall, and remembered a young mime in front of I. Magnin's who would entertain the shoppers. His name was Robin Williams. Jeanne was an accomplished collector and their home reflected the depth of their travels. She had a passion for historical artifacts and art, and spent time on her trips seeking special objects and art to bring home. She loved to support local artists and treasured her relationships and learning from them. She also collected and cared for many bonsai trees as well as nurturing a beautiful garden. Jeanne was very active in her community, and believed in giving back to nonprofits and other organizations. As a young mother, she was a Cub Scout Den Mother and a Blue Bird leader, and was on the Marshall School PTA. Later she was a board member of many organizations: Easter Seals, "Call it Wild" (Community Chair), Humboldt Alcoholism Advisory Board, Eureka Bicentennial Committee, Travel Club, Community Concert, Humboldt Arts Council (and Docent), American Cancer Society, St Joseph Hospital Board, Humboldt Sponsors (47 years), Baywood Women's Golf Association (captain) and charter member of Baywood, Humboldt Area Foundation, Clarke Historical Museum (lifetime trustee), Pacific Arts Center, Humboldt North Coast Land Trust, and the Humboldt County Library. Jeanne was the first woman appointed to the Humboldt State University Advisory Board. The location for meetings had to be changed for a few years as the Ingomar Club was a "men only" club at the time. She was also on the College of the Redwoods Endowment Board and was honored as the College of the Redwoods Foundation Board "Woman of the Year" in 1993. Jeanne was a quiet inspiration for others to be more involved in their community, which she did mostly without accolades, but she was personally enriched by these experiences and the wonderful relationships she established. Jeanne belonged to several bridge clubs (one for over 50 years) and attended them until a month before she died, as well as her book club. She was proud to be a member of the philanthropic educational organization, PEO, for 51 years. She enjoyed playing dominoes in a couples group, and she and Dick played together every Saturday night in their later years. She remained a committed member of Christ Episcopal Church. Mom started golfing when she was 16 and continued until she was 83, with friends many Thursdays and on Sundays with Dad. Even at age 92, Jeanne still visited her friends who were not able to leave their homes and drove friends to plays and events. She was blessed to have long and wonderful friendships, and she cherished those relationships. Jeanne was the true matriarch of the family and was loved and respected by her family. She provided a warm and loving home for her family, and was an expert cook and decorator, while always being involved in her children's activities. She continued to make casseroles for her children until two months before she died. We were always amazed that she could take any sort of animal or bird and turn it into dinner, including the many years Dad brought home clams and ducks. Four quail that hit the window after being surprised by the dog were plucked, cleaned and in the oven in a matter of minutes. Like our dad, she did not like waste, and used and recycled anything she could. Jeanne and Dick took special pleasure in building and decorating their Trinidad home in 1979, where they hosted many dinner parties for family and friends. They also enjoyed hosting friend and family at their Eureka home, which they lived in for more than 50 years. Jeanne was thrilled to have her Cub Scouts return to her house in 2012 for their 50th reunion to take photos and tell stories. She was an open ear for her children's friends and took an interest in their lives and well-being. She was the disciplinarian of the house, though, and we all knew life was easier when Mom was happy! Animals were very important to Mom and there were always pets at home. One of her favorite things was to hold a puppy. She was a good sport when one of the family's golden retrievers destroyed some of her artifacts, left hair on her furniture, or chewed up her shoes. She also put up with chickens, hamsters, ducks, cats, and horses damaging her home and landscaping, and usually had a pretty good attitude about it. Jeanne was preceded in death by her husband William Richard "Dick" Nash, her beloved son Rick, her parents Madeline Coonan Johnson and Arthur Johnson, and Clare Wagner Johnson. She is survived by her son Jack (Wynona) Nash, daughter Cathy (Dale) Hasz, Jan (Howard) Hunt, her grandchildren Jeanne (Mike) Collins, Rick Hasz, Burleigh (Kate) Wilson, Courtney (Jeff) Munther, Amy Hunt (Adrian Kamada) and Cameron Hunt (Stephanie Wall). Great-grandchildren include Selena and Kaitlyn Collins, Hayden Hasz, and Miles and Grayson Munther. Jeanne is also survived by her siblings Donn Arthur Johnson and Janeth Johnson (Ken) Nix, and their families. A celebration of Jeanne's life will take place at a later date. Jeanne had a special fondness for local organizations benefiting her beloved community, children, and animals, especially Humboldt Sponsors (P.O. Box 444, Eureka, CA 95502-0444), Sequoia Park Zoo Foundation, (P.O. Box 123, Cutten, CA 95534), Clarke Museum (240 E Street, Eureka. CA 95501) and Humboldt Country Historical Society (703 8th Street, Eureka, CA 95501). Anyone wishing to donate in her name could also consider a charity of his or her choice. Please sign the guestbook at www.times-standard.com and click on obits.