Mary Jo (Hall) Johnson passed away on July 23rd, 2026, in Albany, Oregon, at the age of 86.
Mary Jo was born on November 10, 1939, in Greenville, California, to Joseph S. Hall and Virginia Lee Long. Her parents divorced when she was young, and Mary Jo moved to and from several different towns with her mother before settling in Eureka, California. There, while attending Eureka Junior High School, she met George A. Johnson. In an incredibly suave and romantic gesture, he threw his sweaty gym clothes at her on the school bus, and they fell in love. They married in 1955 in Eureka and raised four sons there.
A devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Mary Jo was a Cub Scout den leader and became a second mom to many of her sons’ friends. She had a generous heart and was always willing to help anyone in need.
During the 1970s, Mary Jo managed and later owned the Glenwood Coin-O-Matic laundromat in Myrtletown. She sold that business in 1980, and later spent more than 20 years as floor manager at Lima’s Professional Pharmacy, where she became well known for her dedication, hard work, and caring nature.
Mary Jo found joy in life’s simple pleasures. She was an avid reader who loved gardening, horses, classic movies, and watching storms roll in over the ocean. She was an outstanding high-average bowler who competed in hundreds of tournaments and won several trophies. She enjoyed cheering on her sons and grandchildren from the sidelines at their sporting events. She also dearly loved her faithful dogs, Boogie and Bella, and missed them greatly after they were gone.
Mary Jo is survived by her sons, Larry J. (Polly) Johnson of Eureka and David L. Johnson (Sherry Eason) of Albany, Oregon; grandchildren Dan Brughelli, Cody Severtson, Travis Johnson, Chantry Dorrell, Mike Greene, RiAnne Dorfman-Johnson, Andrea Leavitt, Billy Eason, Derreck Moore, Jamie Gillespie, Aaron Eason, David M. Johnson, and whomever else various DNA testing agencies may uncover in the future; great-grandchildren Adreon, Beau, Colt, Grant, Jack, Lyla, Max, Orion, Ripley, Ronan, Ryker, and Wesley; and many beloved nieces, nephews, and in-laws.
She was preceded in death by her husband, George A. Johnson, in 1983; her son, Glenn A. Johnson, in 2017; and her son, George W. Johnson, in 2019.
In accordance with Mary Jo’s wishes, no memorial service will be held.
Those wishing to honor her memory may make a donation to OHSU Doernbecher Children’s Hospital in Portland, Samaritan Evergreen Hospice in Albany, or the Wounded Warrior Project.