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Gail Marie Johnson

Gail Roberts Johnson passed away unexpectedly leaving friends and family deeply saddened. She was the daughter of Theodore Everett Robertrs Jr. and Dorothy Marie Roberts, born in San Mateo, Jan. 21, 1950. She is survived by her son, Brendon Johnson of Sonoma and is preceded in death by her daughter, Erin Johnson.

Her family moved multiple times throughout her childhood and lived in Downey, where Gail graduated from Downey High School.  She was active in multiple activities and clubs including her Girl Scout troop, and she retained lifelong friendships with annual reunions.

Gail and Ron Johnson moved to Sonoma in 1987 with their children Erin and Brendon. A loving mother, who volunteered in Erin and Brendon’s classrooms at Prestwood, contributed her fine and considerable skills to the PTO and was the “go-to” for anyone who needed help. She was indispensable to friends and co-workers who had personal needs and every fundraising effort in Sonoma had a Gail J. touch to it. Most visible is the playground at Maxwell Village but the Mentoring Alliance, Sonoma Boosters, the Sonoma Valley Education Foundation, the Ox Roast and many more went smoothly because of her.

After Erin’s untimely death in 2005, Gail dedicated herself to raising donations for and participating in the Diabetes Foundation NapaTour de Cure every year in honor of Erin. Last year qualified for the Honorary event celebrating her fundraising successes. She was a driving force in gathering team members and motivating them to finish the ride.

She loved walking on the beach, Kaweah River family ranch get-togethers where she was the center of family activities and fun including swimming and hiking, Serene Lakes ski trips and hiking, road trips with her dear friend Fred King, country music, creating a beautiful and welcoming home, working in her garden, amateur wine making, bunco, Tuesday farmers markets and gathering friends around her for great times. She loved traveling, especially Alaska with Brendon, annual visits to Tiffanie and Angela’s to see grandchildren, to visit nieces and nephews and had very fond memories of China and a certain brother doing the chicken dance. She was always anticipating her next great travel adventure.

Professionally, Gail worked in property management for Niles Company for many years and exceeded everyone’s expectations by always doing her best in a thoughtful and considerate manner. While overseeing multiple commercial shopping centers she was always caring and thoughtful with every person and tackled every project with enthusiasm, grace and a smile. The Niles family has mentioned she did more for them than they can ever put in words.

Gail will also be greatly missed by brothers, Carl Roberts of Orange; twin brother, Steven Roberts, of Laguna Beach; Leonard Roberts, of Northern California; and sister, Roberta Hase, of Simpsonville, S.C.; stepdaughters, Angela and Tiffannie and their nine children, as well as many nieces and nephews. Too many people to list considered her as family and she considered them hers. We all have experienced a great loss of someone who meant the world to us.

Gail was very spiritual and sensitive to the needs and feelings of all around her. She will long be remembered as a beautiful, amazing and graceful woman who looked for the best in people and gave the best of herself to those she loved. We were all blessed to know her, and she will be forever in our hearts. There is joy in heaven today and knowing Gail, she and Erin will be watching over all of us, especially Brendon and his dog, Star. God bless you, Gail.

Friends are invited to attend a memorial Mass at 11 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 22, 2013, at St. Francis Catholic Church. A reception will follow immediately at the Schellville Fire Department. Donations in Gail’s memory may be sent the Diabetes Association.

Duggan’s Mission Chapel

Sonoma