JoAnn Patricia Johnson-Harter Nov. 30, 1933 - Nov. 30, 2007 JoAnn Patricia Peters was born in Kulpmont, Pennsylvania. She attended Pennsylvania State University for two years and then transferred to Columbia University - Presbyterian Hospital School of Nursing in New York City. She received a Bachelor of Science degree at Columbia and also attended the Barbizon School of Modeling while in New York. After completing her degree at Columbia, she became an instructor at the School of Nursing at Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, Pennsylvania. It was there that she met Ralph A. Johnson M.D., whom she married in 1957. From Danville the couple moved to Rochester. Minnesota, where Dr. Johnson received his surgical training at the Mayo Clinic. While there, JoAnn was an instructor in the School of Nursing of Saint Mary's Hospital, which is affiliated with the Mayo Clinic. She also worked for the US Census Bureau during the 1960 census. In 1961 the couple moved to Lakewood, Washington. They adopted three children, Tague in 1963, Todd in 1966 and Hadley in 1972. JoAnn moved on to new challenges with raising a family, remodeling their 1913 lakefront home, political and sports activities, and a love of animals. During these years JoAnn was a member of Saint Mary's Episcopal Church, where she was co-founder of the Town Hall Lecture Series, sponsored by the church. She was also active in the Lakewood Racquet Club, the Tacoma Country and Golf Club and numerous civic organizations. An avid outdoors person, she could be found hiking or skiing (water and downhill), gardening or updating the home. In 1990 she once again worked for the US Census Bureau and ran the Southwest Washington District, receiving honors for being one of the highest yield offices in the nation. JoAnn also had a lifelong devotion to the medical profession. She is a Past President of both the Pierce County Medical Society Auxiliary (1970-1971) and the Washington State Medical Association Auxiliary (1976-1977). An outspoken political activist, she was involved with many political campaigns, helped draft and lobby for many bills, and even ran for the state legislature. In 1994 she married Edward Harter, Ph.D. Since 2001, she had lived both in Lakewood and the Phoenix, Arizona area, where Dr. Harter is the Chief Information Officer for the Pinal County Community College District. She had always been an expert gardener, and an avid golfer and tennis player. A member of the Arizona Biltmore Golf Club, JoAnn won the 2007 President's Cup. She continued to play golf at the Oakbrook Country Club and tennis at the Lakewood Racquet Club. She was active on the homeowners associations and club associations in both Washington and Arizona. She is survived by her mother Ella Orland of Pittsgrove, New Jersey, husband Edward Harter of Casa Grande, Arizona, son Tague Johnson of Stanwood, Washington, son Todd Johnson of Duarte, California, his wife Marsha and daughter Jaina, daughter Hadley Williams and her husband John of Dundee, Oregon, stepdaughter Bianca Harter, first husband Ralph Johnson, cousin Jocelyn Fitzpatrick, and numerous caring and dear friends. She was preceded in death by her brother John Orland. Laid to rest at Saint Mary's Episcopal Church. Remembrances to Columbia University School of Nursing, New York, New York would be appreciated. Private family service December 15, 2007. Pub Date: 12/9/2007 Tacoma News Tribune