25 October 2011

Betty Dinkel Johnson, August 10, 1926 - October 25, 2011


Friends, I wanted to let you know that my Mom passed away this morning at the age of 85. She told me that she never expected to live to be 85. Life in the nursing home wasn't much fun. She was ready for the next step, whatever that would be. She drifted away quietly in her sleep. A daughter couldn't ask for more.

Mom had a wicked sense of humor. She worked very hard throughout her life, even during the Beaver Cleaver years when other moms made cupcakes and served as Room Mother. She called me bossy (!) and I told her I learned that lesson very well.

Les, her husband and my dad, passed on in 1984 when she was just 58. Their family grew to include children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. They loved her. Her brothers and sister, nieces and nephews loved her. And her heart made room for dozens of friendships that spanned decades.

I know that my friends will write notes of condolences and prayers, because that is what caring and compassionate people do. But will you please do me a favor instead?

Just send me a *kiss or a ()hug so I know you read this. And then, IMMEDIATELY call someone special and tell them that you love them. Don't email. Don't post. Call. Tell 'em Betty told you to call. That will be her legacy. Waves of love.

Our last words to each other were "I love you." That will carry me through the lonely times. I want you to hear those words from someone you love. And the easiest way to encourage someone to say it is to say it first.

Betty Dinkel Johnson
August 10, 1926 to October 25, 2011
Rest in Peace

05 June 2011

This Is the Face of My Genealogy

Here are two of my favorite photos.

This is Otto Dinkel and Helena (Lena) Winter, my maternal grandparents.


This next photo represents one of my "Aha!" moments. The younger man is my father (Lester Johnson's) graduation photo and the guy with the awesome beard is my dad's great-grandfather Isaac Armfield. Look at their similar appearance. The acorn didn't fall too far from this particular tree, did it?


This is being posted in response to the GeneaBloggers post on June 5. The genealogical blogging community rose en masse to protest LA Weekly's publication of an offensive illustration accompanying an otherwise very nice announcement about Jamboree. After editors received an astounding number of complaints from around the country, they replaced the photo with a graphic of the Jamboree app within hours.

Thank you to everyone for your support.