JoAnn Johnson Obituary

Name: Celebration of Life for JoAnn Johnson
Start: 2025-08-11T17:00:00.000Z
End: 2025-08-11T18:00:00.000Z
Location: Tip Two

JoAnn Reed Johnson left this earthly world peacefully on Monday, 21 July 2025.

She was a 1969 graduate of Grand Haven High School, after which she moved to San Francisco. There, she attended the private California School of Arts and Crafts, now the California College of Arts, where she specialized in jewelry design. She would go on to create beautiful jewelry for sale in Bay Area shops and boutiques. During this time, the radiant, statuesque blonde would also enjoy many modeling opportunities.

JoAnn was a true Bohemian at heart. The child of the '60s was a lifelong connoisseur and avid student of pop culture; an enthusiast for film, visual arts, music and fashion, as well as Native American jewelry and artifacts. She had a powerful yet tender personality and could be outspoken, especially when it came to women's rights. Among her many cherished memories are summer days spent with friends and family aboard the Galleon, the family yacht. In describing JoAnn, her uncle Mart Johnson lovingly said, "… And well, that JoAnn, she is just a mystery."

"I could not stay another day, To laugh or love or sing or play; Tasks left undone must stay that way. I found my peace at close of play." – Anonymous

She is survived by her sister, Bari S. Johnson; dear friend, Bethany Bricker; and many special family members and fun friends.

She was predeceased by her parents, Charlotte (Albertine) Johnson and Paul A. Johnson; as well as her long-time partner, David Lowery.

Friends are invited to celebrate JoAnn on Monday, 11 August, from 5-6 p.m. at Tip Two. Should you choose, donations may be made to The Diva Fund of the Grand Haven Area Community Foundation or the Johnson Leadership Scholarship at Grand Valley State University. Please sign the family's online guestbook at www.sytsemafh.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Grand Haven Tribune on Jul. 28, 2025.

Memories and Condolences
for JoAnn Johnson

2 Entries

David Darling

August 4, 2025

Sail on silver, girl.

Douglas Behrendt

July 31, 2025

My fondest memories, there are so so many I can´t count, of Jo Ann is "Driving Miss Daisy" LOL, those inner-circle of friends will know what I´m talking about. Jo loved all kinds of music and loved to dance. She was very instrumental in turning me on to bands that I never heard of, i.e. Reverend Horton Heat, etc. She´d say, "Dougie, I´ll buy you dinner and a ticket to the show; we can take Char´s car!" That´s where the "Driving Miss Daisy" came from. Of course, I always was up for a free road trip with her. Those that know her knew she didn´t pay too often and always said, "I only hang out with people that carry their own luggage". I´m not sure if her mom knew what we were up to or not but Char was like my second mom and always trusted me with her daughter´s safety. I loved her very much and she knew it.
Jo also loved to dress up for Halloween and New Years Eve, as well as I. We celebrated year after year and always had a lot of laughs. I was fortunate enough to spend time at her apartment in San Francisco several times, touring me around and meeting some of her friends. Jo was one of my top five BFF´s. She was honest, had integrity, great sense of humor and was always seeking out fun events. She was also very well read and very intelligent. She could carry on a conversation about anything, very inquisitive as well.
I met Jo over 30 years ago at one of my other top 5 BFF´s, Wayne Van Achtmael´s home after getting a haircut one evening. I knew, and I think she knew, immediately that we were going to be hard and fast friends. It proved out to be true. I miss them both dearly.
She felt close enough, as I was honored, to include me in most of the Johnson holiday parties at Dottie and Mart´s home as well as yacht parties, etc. I was also honored to drive senior Miss Daisy, Char, to her 80th birthday party. I was bummed that I had to leave early due to a family emergency. Jo wasn´t very happy to say the least.
In closing; I loved Jo just about more than anyone I know. I will always hold her in my heart as a very special friend and will miss her dearly. She will always bring good thoughts in my mind.
Sincerely hers,
Douglas Behrendt, aka Doug E B

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