Doreen Johnson
1928 – 2019
Doreen Elizabeth Johnson left this earth for her heavenly home on October 15, 2019. She was born in South Pasadena, California on July 2, 1928. She graduated from Pasadena City College in 1952 with a degree in Secretarial Administration. Shortly after college, Doreen married Harvey Johnson on August 2, 1952 in Altadena, California.
From an early age, Doreen adored dance and music. As a young child, she took up tap dancing, but was unable to continue after the unexpected death of her mother from pneumonia. However, later in life she rekindled her love for tap by joining a tap group at the age of 80! Doreen also took piano lessons for many years and became an accomplished pianist. She continued to enjoy the piano by teaching piano lessons to children and young adults. She was also a lover of the ukulele and again found a new love for it in her later years while playing together with her granddaughter.
She loved physical activity whether it was working out with Jack LaLanne in front of the TV, walking, riding bikes, swimming or playing tennis. Her passion for a healthy lifestyle led her to obtain her certification in aerobic instruction through the YMCA. Doreen spent 5 years teaching choreographed routines at the YMCA and loved for her grandchildren to practice along with her!
Doreen was also a very active member in her church, and often led women’s Bible studies. She enjoyed managing the church book store, as well as being part of the greeting/ushering team. For several years she was the Chairperson for the local Christian Women’s Club.
Doreen loved any and all types of games. From tennis, to Uno, to Hand and Foot, to pool, to Ping Pong, to Scrabble, she was not only competitive, but she was downright good! One would be hard pressed to find a person with a better, honest winning record at pretty much anything she played. Doreen decided one day it would be fun to enter a tennis tournament. She then went on to win that tournament and many more tennis tournaments after that.
After the passing of her husband in 2016, Doreen found new companionship with a wonderful man by the name of Tom Jones. Even though she was well aware that her family had heard all about him, for months, Doreen would ask her family, “Do you know Tom Jones?” She was so happy in their newfound love that she wanted everyone to share in it. Tom and Doreen would spend hours playing cards with friends at TouchMark or simply spend a quiet night at home watching classic old movies. They loved to play dominoes or Scrabble together, where Doreen would no doubt win almost every time.
Though a very accomplished and talented woman, Doreen was often bashful when one talked about her accomplishments. She downplayed her pool shark skills and the hundreds of games of Uno she dominated over her grandchildren. But the most important thing for Doreen was spending time with the family she dearly loved.
She will be greatly missed and remembered in precious memories by her daughter, Diane Stockton and husband Cliff Stockton, son Gary Johnson and wife Shirley Johnson, and son James Johnson; grandchildren Trent and Laura Stockton, Tiffany and Spencer Hunt, Rachel Johnson, Natalie Johnson, Esmerelda Johnson, and Jean Pierre Johnson; and nephew Greg McNear. Doreen was preceded in death by her devoted husband of 64 years, Harvey Johnson. Doreen is also survived by her loving partner, Tom Jones and numerous other special friends.
Funeral services will be held at Matthews Funeral Home Chapel on Friday, November 1, 2019 at 2:00 P.M.