Janet Louise Johnson

Janet Louise Johnson lived an amazing life! She was articulate, witty, caring , and compassionate, with a truly magnetic personality. Jan filled her life with family and friends. She left us too soon on Sunday October 17, 2010 at 2:27 a.m. surrounded by family and friends who loved her. She fought her cancer with tenacity, grace and dignity. Janet was born on February 25, 1953 to Stan and Jennie (Lang) Johnson in Chicago, IL. She lived the majority of her life in Rockford, graduating from Guilford High School in 1971 and the SwedishAmerican School of Nursing in 1974. She continued her career at SwedishAmerican Health System for 38 years. She began as a student nursing assistant, worked for 21 years as a staff nurse on Ortho/Neuro , and worked in Case Management and Quality for the last 15 years. Jan made a difference! She was passionate about providing excellent care to patients and their families and was respected and cherished by the health care team. She was a volunteer in the CASA program for a number of years. JJ loved her life! She enjoyed rubber stamping and scrapbooking and was generous in sharing this gift by teaching others. She loved her music - she knew a song for everything and the words to every song. Most of all JJ loved her family. Janet created a large and inclusive family. She is survived by her dear friend Lynn Waxler; brother, Webb (Diana) Johnson; Roger and Gloria Carlson, who became her surrogate parents at age 15; brothers, Randy (Janet) Carlson and Tim (Carolyn) Carlson; nieces and nephews, Kristy (Scott) Rollie, Renee (John) Humphreys, Webb Johnson, Jr., Aaron Johnson, April (Blake) Floyd, Ashley Carlson, Lauren Carlson, Britta Carlson and Cassandra Johnson; special cousins, Verna Hurley, Charles (Claudia) Lang, and Susan (Bob) Harris, and beloved dog Mollie. Predeceased by her parents and numerous aunts and uncles. We will be eternally grateful to our friends and family who gave their time and talents so that JJ could remain at home. Our dear friend Chris Grayned was instrumental in Janet's care. Many thanks to Dr. Molly Simmons and the other physicians that provided such exemplary care. We would also like to thank the devoted nursing staff of 7W and the Cancer Center at SwedishAmerican who so lovingly cared for Janet.Funeral service will be held at 10:00 am on Saturday, October 23, 2010 at Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, Mulford Chapel, 1860 S. Mulford Rd. Rockford IL 61108 with Chaplain Norm Shirk officiating. Burial in Arlington Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4:30 to 7:30pm on Friday, October 22 at Fitzgerald Funeral Home and also from 9:00am until time of service Saturday at the funeral home. Memorials to SwedishAmerican Foundation, 1415 East State Street, Rockford, IL 61104. To