Joan Whitman Johnson

Joan Whitman Johnson, 72, passed away peacefully on May 28, 2024, following a six-month battle with cancer. Her loss, while anticipated, was unexpected in timing and her family is profoundly saddened to lose a beloved wife, mother, grandmother and sister. Joan was known to her loved ones by such monikers as Do-Dee and Umma.

Joan Whitman was born on May 12, 1952 in Bradford, New Hampshire. She completed high school in New London, NH in the 1970 graduating class. After high school, she resided in California for several years employed in publishing before returning to New England and holding positions at the Salem Observer and the Lawrence Eagle Tribune. In 1978, Joan met the love of her life, Jeff Johnson, at French’s Park in Bradford. Joan and Jeff eloped a few months later, formalizing their union on July 22, 1978. The couple raised their two children, Jeff and Mary, in the New Hampshire/Massachusetts area before relocating in 1987 to West Chester, Ohio for Jeff’s career with G.E. Aviation.

Of the jobs Joan held over the years, both paid and unpaid, none was as precious to her as being a homemaker. Among her skills were cooking, baking, gardening, canning/preserving, quilting, sewing, knitting, and much more. An entrepreneur at heart, Joan also spent time on side businesses such as managing estate auctions and selling on eBay, maintaining a blog, and writing reviews for Amazon’s Vine program. Joan’s activities also included reading and listening to audiobooks, creating junk journals, home decorating, thrifting and enjoying many shows—from historical fiction to reality shows to comedy—along with intently following car racing and cycling. She was a lifelong learner, routinely exploring new interests and hobbies.
The accomplishment for which Joan was most proud was her role as “Umma” to her four grandchildren: Brayden, Aimee, Riley and Xoe. She loved to teach her grandchildren how to bake, sew and garden, and nothing made her happier than spending time with her entire family. She was known by those who loved her for her positive outlook and favorite phrases: “Life is good,” and “It’s a good day to have a good day.”

Joan is survived by her husband of nearly 46 years, Jeff Johnson; her sister, Gail Whitman; her children Jeff Johnson (partner Lisa) and Mary Johnson (partner Johnny); and her four grandchildren: Brayden (18), Aimee (12), Riley (10) and Xoe (8), along with many other beloved family and friends. She is preceded in death by her father Richard Whitman, mother Alice Whitman (née Hook) and brother Rick Whitman.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to one of Joan’s favorite charities, Shriners Children’s Ohio (https://lovetotherescue.org ), or to Hospice of Cincinnati (https://hospiceofcincinnati.org/donate/). The family wants to thank the staff at the Hospice of Hamilton center, where Joan received such compassionate care during the last few days of her life.

THE WEBSTER FUNERAL HOME is serving the family. Online condolences can be made at www.websterfuneralhomes.com