Retired music educator Barbara Jean Johnson passed away at her home in Rochester, New York. She was 84. Born in a tiny farm town in central Iowa, she adopted the name “Jean” as her one-room school house already had a “Barbara” (Barbara would marry Jean’s older brother Jack and the two “Barbara’s” remained close for all of their lives.)
Jean was an alumna of Simpson College, where she studied music. She later obtained a master’s degree in music education from Andrews University. Johnson dedicated her career to teaching elementary school children music, utilizing her fine soprano voice and enthusiasm to inspire countless young minds within the Rochester City School District.
Beyond her role as an educator, Johnson found solace in the melodies of classical music and actively participated in Mu Phi Epsilon, the co-ed international professional music fraternity. In the 1980s, she ran “Jean’s Music Center” in Penfield, NY. Jean was devoted to the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra’s and, indeed, the day before her sudden death she attended the RPO’s performance of Gustav Mahler’s Second Symphony.
She cherished her time spent among fellow music enthusiasts. And Mellie, her beloved mutt, brought immeasurable joy and unconditional love into her later days.
Barbara Jean Johnson is survived by her sons Bart (Christine) and Cory (Alicia), as well as her daughter, Dr. Laurie Logan (Alice), as well as a dozen grandchildren. Their lives bear the profound impact she had as a mother and grandmother.
An Episcopal funeral service will take place on June 17, 2023, at 11 am, at Christ Church of Rochester.
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Jean has been my neighbor for 28 years we had long conversions while we were working in our yards. I’m really going to miss that . She was a very kind and caring person . My grandchildren was small when she moved in and she taught them how to play the flute. They called her Miss Jean. And they just love going over and seeing her. She was a very hard worker. She did her own yard work and snow blow her own driveway in the winter. She was very active. She loved her opera.
God Bless You Miss Jean