Erin Johnson

Erin Michelle Orme Johnson, born July 26, 1964, died on February 5, 2023, in the presence of her husband, daughter, mother, sisters, brother, and a nephew and a niece, after complications following a fall. She was a loving and devoted wife to Bruce Clifford Johnson, and a warm, wise, and loving mother to her daughters Elisabeth and Amy, an attentive aunt to many nieces and nephews, and a great sister. Those who know Erin know her as a big-hearted and giving person, caring and kind, a person who was generous with her time and service. She loved good food, a good joke, and her family above all.
Erin was born at Edwards Air Force Base, California. Her mother took great delight in the infant Erin-her two older siblings were in school, so there was time to just enjoy her. She was a lively child, who earned her share of scrapes and bumps by rambunctious play. In a letter her father wrote to the family when he was away in October of 1965, he posted: "I figure that Erin is doing her best to keep the magazines messed up. I'll bet she has fun doing it." When the family moved to Japan, Erin was about 18 months old. Before they came home to the States, she learned to ride a little bike, determined to do so, even if it took her longer to learn to use the brakes.
Erin attended Silver Spur Elementary, Malaga Cove Junior High, and Rolling Hills High School in Rancho Palos Verdes, California. She spent a couple of high school years at Concord-Carlisle High School in Concord, Massachusetts, when the family moved there. Moving in the middle of high school was a challenge, but she made friends there, earned a letter in track, and helped put on skits and plays with the young women in her LDS church region. When the family returned to Rancho Palos Verdes, Erin earned the academic credits to graduate early from Rolling Hills High School in January of 1982.
She attended BYU for a year, then returned home to work at Fujinon Corporation. She met Bruce Johnson in an LDS singles ward in San Pedro, where he noticed her as the leader of congregational singing. He brought chocolates to share with her during church meetings, and a romance ensued. They met each others' families, and found a home in each other. They married in June of 1986, in the Los Angeles LDS Temple. Erin resumed her academic studies at Cal Poly Pomona, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in English. She worked for a number of years at Unocal as a highly valued executive assistant. She decided to earn a teaching credential, with an endorsement in special education, and went to work at Nicholas Junior High in Fullerton, California. Later, when Bruce and Erin moved to Utah in 2004, Erin took a position working with special needs students at Sharon Elementary, where she worked until the present. Erin was a smart, resourceful, attentive teacher, who enriched the educational experiences of many students.
Erin and Bruce have two cherished daughters: Elisabeth Claire, born in August of 1989, and Amy Michelle, born in November of 1996. Erin loved being a mother, and threw her considerable energy, intelligence, creativity, and most of all, her love, into motherhood. When she was studying special education, she wrote that she believed that both of her daughters, with their diverse abilities, deserved a full and rich education. This is the spirit with which she mothered.
Erin loved the swap meet. She loved good Mexican food and Diet Pepsi. She was a great baker and cook. She was a great beauty, and completely unpretentious about it. She loved flowers and she loved Bruce Springsteen. She loved a good movie and a good book, and passing a recommendation along. She loved choosing a great gift for a loved one. She loved rooting for her girls, advocating for the best possible lives for them, and enjoying their every success. Her warmth and welcome were legendary. She gave wonderful care to the people around her. She was a woman of great faith. She had a devoted and unwavering love for her family and friends.
Erin had significant challenges in her life. She said that, when she got to heaven, she would go immediately to the WHY line, so she could get some answers. She met her challenges with courage, hard work, and great wit, which her family and friends witnessed.
Erin Michelle Orme Johnson is survived by her beloved husband of nearly 36 years; by four siblings, Lisa Orme Bickmore (John McCormick), David Reed Orme (Faye Schory), Lori Orme McBride (Clarence McBride), and Melissa Buck (David Buck); by her beautiful daughters Elisabeth Claire Johnson and Amy Michelle Johnson; and by her many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her father, Gordon Reed Orme.
The family extends its deep thanks to the doctors, nurses, and therapists of the Neuro ICU at Intermountain Utah Valley Hospital, for their careful, knowledgeable, and compassionate care of Erin in her last days.
Funeral Services will be held at the Windsor LDS Stake Center, 60 East 1600 North, Orem, UT 84057. A viewing and family greeting will be held from 10-10:45 a.m., with services to follow at 11 a.m. Interment at the Orem Cemetery following services.