Shirlee June Johnson's Obituary
Shirlee June Johnson was born in Kelso, Washington on August 13, 1929, the daughter of Dr. Cyrus Plato Johnson and his wife Gertrude. Shirlee grew up in Longview with sister Virginia, where her dad was a dentist. After graduation, she attended Mills College in Oakland California and later transferred to the University of Washington. She was a member of Pi Beta Phi Sorority and graduated in 1951 with a degree in Home Economics/Clothing Design. She met her future husband Roger at the UW. They married in 1953 and their first home was in Greenwich Village, New York. After traveling through Europe for a year, they returned to Seattle and Roger entered law school at the UW. Their daughter Stephanie was born in 1954, followed by son David in 1958 and Brian in 1960.
In addition to being an excellent clothing designer, Shirlee had many other artistic endeavors. When the kids were grown, she went back to school and received a degree in interior design. Her sense of design and style was unmatched. She loved traveling with Roger, hiking, and skiing with the family, and enjoyed many camping trips to the mountains, the ocean with family and friends. Roger and Shirlee were marred for 70 years, had wonderful home on Henry Island, and traveled to China, Thailand, South America, Scandinavia, and of course Mexico for many years. Shirlee is survived by her husband Roger, her children Stephanie Johnson O’Day and David (Mary) Johnson of Friday Harbor. Son Brian predeceased his mom earlier this year. Grandchildren are Kelsey (Mark), Alexis (Nathan), Katie (Gary), and Peter; along with Brian’s widow Deborah and their children Jordanne, Kylie, Lindsay and Ashley. Great Grandchildren: Jayce Strom, Kahn Paul Wagner, Aria and Lilly Beecher.
Shirlee passed peacefully in Lakewood surrounded by family just shy of her 94th birthday. We will miss her greatly.
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