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Penelope Pence Johnson, Ph.D.

Jan. 13, 1916-March 23, 2012

 

  Peneloope Pence Johnson of Sonoma, passed away peacefully at home with Alisi (her caretaker and friend) of seven years and her nieces.

  Penelope was preceded in death by her husband, Robert. She is survived by many nieces and nephews, among them, Georgia Mulford Herrick, Margaret Hage and Patricia Mulford, of Sonoma.

  Penelope was born in Madison, S.D., the sixth child of David and Georgia Pence (Knapp).

  Penelope attended Eastern State Teacher’s College in Madison, then moved to Oregon. After a few years, she had a craving to resume her education and she moved to Berkeley and completed her degree at UC Berkeley, where she met the love of her life, Robert Johnson.

  Robert’s employment with the U.S. Geological Service took them to Peru, Brazil, Indonesia and Saudi Arabia, where Penelope immersed herself in the cultures of those countries, but it was Indonesia with which she fell in love.

  After a tour of duty in Saudi Arabia, they settled in Berkeley where she pursued her doctorate in psychology. In Berkeley, she was affiliated with the Center of Personal Growth and Family Counseling.

  The Johnsons came to Sonoma from Berkeley with a desire to gain and share a wider world view. She instigated the Community Forum at the First Congregational Church of Sonoma. The forum’s goal was then and is now to invite the community at large to hear noted speakers address issues of spirituality and social justice.

  Penelope joined the Friday’s Writer Group with the goal of publishing her book “Memories of Indonesia.” She enthralled the group with her adventures, some amusing, others poignant.

  The Johnsons were in Indonesia during the cold war years at a time when political tensions of an emerging nation mingled with the exotic and ancient culture of the east.

  Friends and family are invited to celebrate Penelope’s life on Saturday, June 23 at 2 p.m. at the First Congregational Church, 252 W. Spain St., Sonoma, with Rev. David McCracken officiating. Family and friends are welcome to stay for a time of refreshments immediately following the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in her memory be made to Seeds of Learning, P.O. Box 2107, Sonoma, CA 95476 or Hospice By The Bay, 190 W. Napa St., Sonoma, CA 95476.