Patricia Johnson was born on Feb. 15, 1954, in Watertown, South Dakota, to Harold and Bernice Moehring.
She was the middle child of three, with her older brother, Donald, and younger brother, Gregory.
Her family moved to Chehalis, Washington, when she was a child, and she lived in Washington state the rest of her life. She was an excellent student and was top 10 in her graduating high school class. She always wanted to be a teacher. To fulfill this desire, she attended Centralia College and completed her studies at Central Washington University.
It was at Centralia Community College that Patty met the love of her life, Jay Johnson, whom she married in 1978 at St. Mary’s Church in Centralia.
Patty was an elementary school teacher for the Adna School District for 37 years and loved her students. She and Jay adopted two sons from South Korea, Tyler and Justin.
Patty loved her family, friends, sewing and quilting, and traveling. She made many quilted items for her family and friends.
Patty and Jay were blessed to see the world and traveled to 46 countries and six continents. Unfortunately, in May 2024, Patty discovered that she had serious cancer. Although the cancer spread quickly, and her body suffered, she fought hard and was at peace until the end.
Patty went home to the Lord on Friday, June 21, 2024, with her family present.
She was an amazing wife, aunt and mother, and she will dearly be missed. Her family is comforted knowing that she is in a better place, as she is now with God in His Kingdom.
Patty will be greatly missed by her devoted husband, Jay Johnson, of Centralia; sons, Tyler Johnson (currently serving Western Washington as a Roman Catholic priest) and Justin (Sarah) Johnson, of Olympia; brothers, Donald (Maida) Moehring, of Seattle, and Gregory (Miyoko) Moehring, of Ocean, New Jersey; many beloved cousins, nieces, nephews and other relatives; as well as many special friends, colleagues and students.
Patty's funeral mass will be held at 3 p.m. Friday, June 28, at St. Mary's Church in Centralia.
Patty's family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to the American Cancer Society.
Patty's family would also like to thank the staff at both Providence Centralia Hospital and Providence St. Peter's Hospital for their excellent and compassionate care.
