Jennifer Jo Johnson

Jennifer Jo Jena Johnson In the early morning hours of November 13, 2012, my family and our community unexpectedly lost an exceedingly bright, very beautiful and extremely skilled young woman. Jennifer Jo Johnson passed away at age 41. She was born in Monterey, California on December 8, 1970. She will be greatly missed by her long-term partner, Warren Page, who loved her very much and who she loved very much. Jena tragically lost her father, Ira Lee Johnson, who was an attorney serving in the Army at Fort Ord, California, when she was 6 months old. Jenas mother, Alice Kuhn, returned home to Vine Grove Kentucky with Jena and her 4 year old brother, Christopher. Alice subsequently married police chief, Chuck Ashley, and Jena very fortunately became the granddaughter of Charles & Kathryn Ashley (Paps and Mamaw) and niece of Teresa King. Her grandparents and her aunt are the three people she perhaps loved most in the world and who had a profound influence upon her upbringing. When she was 15, Jena moved to Oak Harbor, Washington, when her mother married Daniel Kuhn. Jena graduated from Oak Harbor High School in 1988 and then from Western Washington University with a Bachelors Degree in Psychology. That was followed by her Masters Degree (with honors) in adult education with an emphasis in vocational rehabilitation. She took and passed the grueling CRC test, which is a national examination distinguishing one as a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor. The Washington State Department of Vocational Rehabilitation hired her in 2000. She was the transition counselor for the Bellingham office. She met with students who attended Whatcom County High Schools, who have developmental disabilities, and assisted them in transitioning from high school to jobs, technical colleges or universities. Jena loved her job and will be greatly missed by the students she assisted, her co-workers, and all of the teachers and community professionals with whom she worked. Jena received many awards in her years with DVR but was particularly proud that in 2009, she was honored as the Washington State transition counselor of the year. Jena loved her daily routine at the Bellingham Athletic Club, reading, watching movies, traveling, spending time at home, long baths, Seahawk football, college basketball (particularly the NCAA Tournament) and her beloved Kentucky Wildcats. Jena is survived by her mother Alice Kuhn and husband Dan of Salcah, Alaska; brother Christopher Johnson of Panama City, Florida; grandparents Charles and Kathryn Ashley, of Vine Grove, Kentucky; aunt Teresa King and husband Garry of Vine Grove; stepfather Chuck Ashley of Vine Grove; cousin Kristofor of Vine Grove; step-sister Erin Price of Vine Grove; and her closest friend growing up, Christine Smith. She will be missed by the love of her life, Yahoo, her 20-year-old cat (graciously taken in by her co-worker Amanda) and profoundly missed by her partner, Warren Page. Jena was a very patient and loving person with a wonderful sense of humor and a joy to be around. She somehow managed to always put the needs of others ahead of her own. How I wish there could have been more time for her in this world, all that knew her would have been the better for it. At Jenas request, there will be no funeral but please join us in a celebration of Jenas life that will be held on December 8, 2012, at 1:00 p.m. at Moles Farewell Tributes-Bellingham, 2465 Lakeway Drive. Her ashes will be sent back to Vine Grove, Kentucky so that she can be laid to rest with her grandmother. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the Arc of Whatcom County. Please share memories online at www.farewelltributes.com Moles Farewell Tributes-Bellingham Farewell Tribute Information At Jenas request, there will be no funeral but please join us in a celebration of Jenas life that will be held on December 8, 2012, at 1:00 p.m. at Moles Farewell Tributes-Bellingham, 2465 Lakeway Drive. Donations Information In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the Arc of Whatcom County.

Jennifer Jo Johnson

December 8, 1970 - November 13, 2012