Frances Johnson, 91, died April 23, 2007, at Settler’s Park.
At her request, there will be no funeral. Inurnment will be at Portland Memorial. Gray’s West & Co. Pioneer Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
Frances was born on Feb. 19, 1916, to Charles and Kittie Loughridge Day of Portland. She grew up in Portland where she graduated from high school in 1934.
During her growing up years, Frances worked summers in her father’s business, the Chas. H. Day Co. Her grandfather and an aunt were both doctors. They sparked a keen interest in medicine for Frances.
Her grandfather practiced medicine at Grants Pass. Frances often went on his rounds with him.
In 1935, Frances helped her aunt, Dr. Law, at Hill City, Kan. She would drive Dr. Law to her appointments and would sometimes act as an assistant if needed.
She liked to tell about driving Dr. Law across the United States to Florida when she was 13 years old. These experiences resulted in Frances taking premed classes at the University of Oregon at Eugene.
Frances later attended Banke Walker Business College at Portland. Frances’ first job after completing her course at Banke Walker was in the shipping department of Berchard and Fisk. From September 1941 to March of 1942, Frances worked for the Deschutes County Conservation Association in Redmond.
In 1943, she returned to Portland where she worked for E.J. Bertell’s insulation company. In 1945, she went to work for Yawkee Lumber Co. at Prineville.
Frances married Albert J. Johnson in 1945. They did not have any children. They considered Janice Gyllenberg, their grandniece, as their own and often referred to her as their daughter. Janice had lived with Frances and Albert in Portland when she was attending Northwestern Business College.
After their marriage, Frances and Albert worked for the Chas. H. Day Co. Frances worked for the company until 1952 when she went to work for the City of Portland Fire Department. She worked for the fire department for the next 17 years, retiring in 1979.
Frances was a past worthy matron of the Order of the Eastern Star and a member of the Nydia Temple, No. 4, Daughters of the Nile.
Frances continued to live in Portland until March 2001 when she moved to Baker City to be near her grandniece, Janice Gyllenberg.
Frances will be remembered by her family for her big heart and her willingness to help anyone in a time of need.
“She had a wry sense of humor that kept family entertained and laughing,” family members said. “She will be greatly missed by her family and friends.”
She was preceded in death by her husband, Albert; and her parents, Charles and Kittie Day.
Used with permission from: Baker City Herald, Baker City, Oregon, April 24, 2007
Transcribed by: Belva Ticknor
