A Little Free Library also acts as a citizen memorial to Jolie Johnson who died in a scuba diving accident in the Caribbean while on an anniversary vacation with her wife. I located an
Jolie Ann Eleanor Johnson
Jolie Ann Eleanor Johnson passed away February 10, 2015 while on an anniversary vacation in Bonaire. Jolie was born November 29, 1950 in Victorville, Calif. to parents James Johnson Jr. and Janice Carrie Washington. She spent her childhood in California and was a graduate of the University of California Santa Barbara. Jolie moved to Southern Oregon in 1987 and launched her remarkable career as a real estate broker in 1990. She was proudly affiliated with John L. Scott for 15 years. In 2003 Jolie met the love of her life, Kathy Bauer, and in celebration of their devotion to each other they were joyfully married in Hawaii February 22, 2014.
Jolie was a confident woman with an elegant style, quietly courageous, living her life proudly, true to herself and to her values. She had unwavering love for her family. She was highly invested in broadening the horizons of her nieces and nephews, inviting them to spend the summers in Oregon, during which she and Kathy created life long memories. She was also a faithful friend, known for spreading joy, positivity, and encouragement to all she encountered. She was keenly aware of the needs of the less fortunate in her community and lived a life dedicated to service that would make a positive impact for those most vulnerable. She was sought out by numerous civic groups that recognized her intellect and leadership qualities. She assumed numerous volunteer roles and was hands-on with her commitments.
Jolie's volunteer resume bears witness to her love of her community. She was a member of the Providence Medford Medical Center Community Board for 10 years and the LaClinica Board for six years. She was instrumental in bringing three different agencies together to form what is now Community Works. She served on the Development Committee for Children's Advocacy Center, was a leader in Girl Scouts of America, and was a member of the Rogue Valley Association of Realtors. In addition, she was a past member, and three times President, of the North Medford Rotary Club. She was a current member of the Rotary Club of Bear Creek. She was also on the Women's Leadership Council and was a founding member of Women Living Leadership through the United Way of Jackson County.
Jolie was a woman with many interests and she excelled at everything she cared about. Golf, skiing and scuba diving were favorite sports, and reading and cooking were favorite hobbies. She had tremendous enthusiasm for travel and went on many adventures throughout the world.
Jolie is survived by her wife, Kathy Bauer; step-mother, Mildred Johnson; mother-in-law, Henrietta Bauer; brothers, Jerome, Lamont, and Brandon Johnson and Brandon's wife, Denise Poirier; sister, Jeryl Lyles and her husband, George Lyles; and in-laws including Diane and Eric Walker, Bruce Bauer, Sandy and Heman Gonzalez, Karen and Roger Hickel, Mary and Tony Malone; and nieces and nephews. In addition Jolie is survived by Kanticha Kanasuwan, "Best" the foreign exchange student living with Jolie and Kathy. Jolie was preceded in death by her mother and father; brothers, Darryl and Randolph Johnson; and her father-in-law, Melvin Bauer.
A celebration of Jolie's life will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, March 28, 2015 at the Rogue Valley Country Club. A "time for sharing" will follow the service. Guests are invited to bring a long stem flower to help create a memorial bouquet as a tribute to her inner beauty.
A memorial fund has been set up at Umpqua Bank and gifts to the fund will be distributed to causes and charities that Jolie was passionate about.
Jolie's spirit will live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved her and she will be truly missed. Her legacy is one of significance. She cared deeply and she loved well.
The local Rotary Club of Bear Creek Valley, for which Johnson was a member, donated this Little Free Library.