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June’s Story

Site created on January 25, 2021

June's daughter Dallas here. We're hoping you'll send love our way. On Jan 11, Mom/June suddenly fell very ill and was admitted into ICU with liver, kidney and bladder failure. On Jan 18 we learned the devastating news that she has late stage Pancreatic cancer and they began Palliative Care. Two days later she entered hospice and moved in with my husband Siama and me so we can care for her in our cozy home and spoil her around the clock. She's still sharp as can be, mostly pain-free and enjoying calls and Zooms with family and longtime friends from sunrise to sundown. We're so relieved and happy to have her here and so grateful to her new angels/hospice care practitioners.

Dallas Sr (my Dad) moved in with us on Jan 11 and Joni (Mom's daughter/my sister) flew in from NYC on Jan 20th and is the best caretaker ever. Jeff (Mom's son/my brother), his kids/Mom's grandkids (Jake, Cole & Marley) and Mom's great grandchild Mason have been so helpful and loving. Mom is in her heaven, surrounded by family every day. Joni's daughter/Mom's granddaughter Devi is being very attentive and sharing so much love from her home base in NYC.

Since hospice began, Mom's been living her dream of eating cookies for breakfast, chocolate truffles and merengues for lunch and strawberry milkshakes for dinner. Her bed is in the living room, surrounded by a veritable garden of fresh flowers and plants and right next to the front window where chickadees and cardinals congregate around Siama's bird feeders under the crisp, clear blue January sky.

We're all astonished by Mom's positive outlook and upbeat nature through all of this. She keeps telling us she feels a deep sense of peace and acceptance. She's led a full life and she has no regrets or unfinished business. She considers herself very blessed to have been given the gift of a few days in hospital to contemplate her situation and now, time to spend with loved ones. She told me, "It seems weird to say but I'm loving this process of dying. I'm looking forward to where I'm going but I'm loving this time."

Mom wants us all to follow her lead, to recognize that how we view our circumstances is very much a choice. She wants me to tell you to always choose joy and acceptance.

Ever the teacher, Mom's still directing everything we do and insists on knowing every detail about her meds and hospice visits. Nurses keep asking her, "Were you a teacher?" While in ICU, literally clinging to life, Mom would say to every nurse, doctor and staff member who entered her room, "You're a HERO!" and every time they'd wheel her past the nurse's station she'd holler, "You're all HEROES! THANK YOUUUU!!"

We're so grateful for the blessing of her grace in this moment and at the same time, we're all so stunned and heartbroken and sad about losing her.

Cards and Letters:
June Johnson
c/o Dallas Johnson
2400 Portland Ave
Minneapolis, MN 55404

Please continue to send Mom and Dad love and positive energy and take a cue from Mom - Be open to what life offers and always choose joy.

Newest Update

Journal entry by Dallas Johnson — Apr 7, 2021

Our family's hearts go out to all of you who were with us in spirit yesterday as we celebrated Mom's life and wished her well on her journey - We felt your presence with us! - and we were especially touched by those who joined us despite the challenges posed by Covid.

So many have shared memories of Mom. She would've been overwhelmed.

Use this url to watch a video of her service. (The audio isn't the greatest but I hope you'll enjoy nonetheless.) The beautiful voice at the beginning is a recording of Mom's sister Phyllis singing, "Precious Lord".
https://www.johnsonfh.com/obituary/june-johnson

While you're on Mom's memorial site, leave a comment or a memory of Mom. It'll bring us closer.

Big thanks to everyone, especially Uncle Bobby, who represented the Burner family so well.

Congratulations to Mom, "Lefsa Lady", on a life well lived and a transition for the ages.

Read More of the journal titled "April 6, 2021"

companion urns (one for Mom, one for Dad one day) in the shape of swans forming a heart ❤️

These bright Spring blooms are from Aunt Shirley in Colorado, Dad's sis in law.

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