Patricia L Johnson

Patricia "Pat" L. Johnson, 99, of Rockford, passed away on Friday, November 28, 2025. Born January 14, 1926, in Rockford, the daughter of Frank and E. May (Johnson) Lynn. Pat graduated from East High School and earned a bachelor's degree from Bradley University and master of fine arts degree from Northern Illinois University. Pat married R. Stewart Johnson on August 3, 1946. She and Stewart, who predeceased her on July 4, 1994, were members of Second Congregational Church. They loved to cook gourmet foods together, host family gatherings, and play cards with neighbors and friends.

A fiercely independent, vibrant soul who preferred to be on-the-go, Pat lived an adventurous life. She retired from a long career as an art teacher in the Rockford Public Schools, with her forté being pottery and later watercolors. For decades in her retirement, she volunteered as an art teacher at her senior independent living facility and Rock Valley College until a few years ago, when she needed to move into assisted living and eventually a nursing home.

Pat and Stewart were avid sailors, beginning with a 24-foot MacGregor on Lake Mendota in Madison, Wisc., and later, a 33-foot Hunter, which they docked in Racine, Ill., and Sturgeon Bay, Wisc. They relished full summers sailing on the Great Lakes, including the North Channel.

After Stewart passed away, Pat embraced a camping lifestyle-initially in a tent, which she had grown up doing, and soon in a recreational vehicle. She loved camping with her sister, Mary; her children and their spouses; and other relatives and friends. Through the Loners on Wheels camping club and Good Sam RV Club, Pat traveled in RV convoys throughout the United States and to Canada and Mexico. She continued this hobby into her mid-90s.

Pat is survived by her children, Lynn (Judy) Johnson of Middleton, Wisc., Mark E. (Kristi Whitman) Johnson, of Madison, Wisc., and Janet (Ray) Smith of Rockford; grandchildren, Aaron Johnson of Plano, Ill., Peter (Robin) Johnson of North Aurora, Ill., Heidi (Al) Gehring of Loxahatchee, Fla., Blake W. Johnson of Madison, and Ericka (Matt McClure) Smith of Rockford, Ill.; great-grandchildren, Jack and Alexandra Gehring, Van and Axl Livingston, and Dom McClure; niece, Robin (Alan) Lounsbury of Mount Kisco, NY; and nephew, Michael (Dianne) Campbell of Woodlawn, Tenn. Predeceased by her parents; husband; sister and brother-in-law, Mary and Robert Campbell; daughter and son-in-law Kristine "Kris" and Roger Thornton; nephew Alan Campbell; and several beloved canine companions.

We will dearly miss Pat, who maintained her sharp mind, but we know she is now free of her physical limitations as she teaches angels how to paint beautiful clouds in Heaven.

The family wants to thank the staff of Alpine Fireside and OSF Hospice in Rockford for their excellent care of Pat in her later years.

Private family services will be held. Burial of ashes in Scandinavian Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to OSF Hospice, 9915 Rock Cut Crossing, Loves Park, IL 61111. To share a memory or condolence, please visit www.olsonfh.com