Louise M. Johnson

Louise M. Johnson who lived in Tucson for almost 70 years and was active in civic clubs, died June 25, 2015 in Tempe following a long illness. She was 92. Johnson was married to Frank E. Johnson, longtime managing editor and executive editor of the Arizona Daily Star. Louise was active in clubs, including the Pueblo Junior Women's Club, Suburban Women's Charitable Club (now Southwest Women's Charitable Club) and La Sierra Garden Club. The daughter of a wealthy banker in Galion, Ohio, Louise eloped with Frank, a World War II veteran, in 1945. The couple moved to Arizona for Frank's health and chose Tucson because the university was located there. Louise, who had a Bachelor's of Fine Arts from Columbia University, worked as a telephone operator and as a recreation director at the Veteran's Administration hospital and rented studio space from legendary artist Ted DeGrazia. Louise was an avid bridge player and an accomplished hostess. She was a passionate sports fan, particularly devoted to University of Arizona and Ohio State athletics, Albert Pujols and LeBron James. She is survived by her daughter, Christia L. Gibbons; her son-in-law, Tom Gibbons and her cat Noodle of Tempe. She was preceded in death by her husband, her sons, Frank and John and her parents, Edgar and Bertha Beall. No memorial service is planned, per her request.