ASHTABULA — Carolynn Louise (Ducro) Johnson, age 83, formerly of Lake Road West, passed away on Sunday, March 17, 2013.
She was born April 2, 1929, in Ashtabula, Ohio, the daughter of John T. and Sigrid (Johnson) Ducro and had been an Ashtabula resident all her life except for 8 years in Palo Alto, Calif.
A 1947 graduate of Ashtabula High School, she attended Denison University where she was a member of the Chi Omega sorority and earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing from the Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing at (Case) Western Reserve University.
She was a nurse at University Hospitals’ MacDonald House, the Ashtabula General Hospital, the well-known Palo Alto Clinic, and served for 25 years as a nurse in the Geneva Schools, leading many projects and describing it as the highlight of her career.
Her many volunteer activities included: Medical Advisory Nurse for the Ohio Department of Health, Boards of the district Ohio Nurses Association, American Cancer Society, Mental Health Association, and Counsel on Drug and Alcohol Abuse (CADA). She helped to establish the Ashtabula County Health Forum, Community Health Fairs, and the county-wide polio immunization program.
A longtime active member of Messiah Lutheran Church, she served on nearly every committee and was active in the Elks Emblem Club.
She loved her cottage at Redbrook, her family, and many friends. Her Friday afternoon canasta games were treasured times with her dear friends, Mariel, Jan and Nancy. Carolynn had a great love of travel and visited Sweden, Alaska, the West Coast, Canada, South Florida, and many other exciting destinations with long time friends and family. One of her most cherished memories was the Disney cruise she took with her children and grandchildren.
A Parkinson’s survivor, she battled the disease with dignity and amazed many doctors at how well she kept her condition from advancing over the many years since she was first diagnosed. She will be remembered for her love of family and her tenacity through difficult times.
Her survivors include two sons, Doug (Betsy) Johnson of Bexley, Ohio, and Bruce (Donna) Johnson of Ashtabula; six grandchildren, Matthew (Beth), Alexander, Gregory (Trishina), Chad and Mallory Johnson, and Valerie (Mark) Hall; three great-grandchildren, Maxim, Autumn and Gage; her sisters-in-law, Sue Curtis Ducro of Ashtabula and Elaine Johnson and Elsie Johnson, both of California; her nephew, J.P. (Peggy) Ducro IV; three great-nieces, Mary Cate, Lizzie and Sara; and many dear and special friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Leslie Edwin Johnson; her son, Mark David Johnson; her brother, J. Peter Ducro; and her parents.
Calling Hours will be from 5 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, March 21st, at the DUCRO FUNERAL HOME, 4524 Elm Ave., Ashtabula.
Services will be 11 a.m. on Friday, March 22nd, at Messiah Lutheran Church, 615 West Prospect Road, Ashtabula. The Rev. Dr. Michael Meranda, Pastor, will officiate. Burial will be in Edgewood Cemetery.
Contributions may be made to the Messiah Lutheran Foundation, Hospice of the Western Reserve, or the charity of one’s choice.
Obituary and condolences at www.ducro.com and starbeacon.com.
