Mary Jane Martin Johnson passed on to the spirit world September 22, 2018 at her home in Lindon, Utah at the age of 77. She was born on July 9, 1941, in Monmouth, Illinois, to John Robert Martin and Clara Mae Chancellor Martin as the youngest of four children. Her parents and brothers – Thornton, Bob, and David – all preceded her in death.
She lived most of her young life in St. Joseph, Missouri, where she graduated from Lafayette High School. She then attended Brigham Young University where she fell in love with David W. Johnson. They were married in 1963 shortly after her graduation with a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work.
Her first child, Karla, was born in 1964. Following Dave’s graduation, the young family moved to Rockford, Illinois, where they both taught school. In 1967 the family moved to Kalamazoo, Michigan, where they lived for 32 years.
During this time an additional seven children joined the family; Paul in 1969, Matthew who was stillborn in 1971, Mark in 1973, Sarah in 1975, Jeffrey and Jeremy in 1977, and Davina in 1980. Mary Jane also found time to attend Western Michigan University, graduating with a 4. 0 GPA and a Master’s Degree in Reading.
After raising her family, Mary Jane and Dave moved to Naples, Florida, where she taught English as a Second Language at International College. Two years later the couple moved to Lindon, Utah, where they both taught at Utah Valley University until retirement. Mary Jane loved serving in the church.
Among her many callings were Primary President and Relief Society President. Her favorite calling was that of Humanitarian Aid leader. She organized many projects, including quilting, newborn kits, dolls, leper bandages, and school kits.
Mary Jane also loved doing family history work. She was currently serving a Church Service mission with her husband in the FamilySearch Virtual Records Operations Center. She worked faithfully from home on her computer for twenty hours a week doing records indexing and review.
Life was not easy for Mary Jane physically. Her body slowly deteriorated as the years went by. She endured at least a dozen surgeries and struggled with pain from her lower back and neuropathy.
Yet through all this she seldom complained. Mary Jane found joy from the rain and snow, flowers, and the birds that fed outside her window. She also loved to watch college basketball, especially Duke and BYU.
Beyond all that, her greatest joy came from her family, especially her grandchildren. She loved serving them and took delight in planning for birthdays and holidays. She will be truly missed by her family and everyone who loved her.
Mary Jane is survived by her husband, seven children, and thirteen grandchildren: Coleen, Mara, Krista, Grace, Tyler, Dustin, Matthew, Samantha, Liliana, Ellie, Sienna, Bridgette, and Clover. Funeral service will be held Friday, September 28, 2018, in the Lindon LDS Stake Center, 1050 East 100 North, Lindon, Utah at 11:00 a.m. with a viewing from 9:00 – 10:30 a.m. prior to the services. Interment will be in the Lindon City Cemetery under the direction of Olpin Family Mortuary, Pleasant Grove.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www. olpinmortuary.com. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Humanitarian Aid.
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