ELOISE M. “SANDY” JOHNSON passed away on July 11, 2009, at La Posada in Green Valley after a brave battle against cancer.

Mrs. Johnson was born May 4, 1926, in Chicago, Ill. to Clarence and Opal Keller Meyer and grew up in Fanwood, N.J. She graduated from the University of Illinois in 1947 with a degree in English Literature and Psychology. She also married her college sweetheart, Peter H. Johnson, in 1947. The Johnsons lived briefly in Des Plaines and later in Park Ridge, Ill.

In 1966, the Johnson family moved to Phoenix, where they operated the Vagabond Motor Hotel for about nine years. Sandy and Peter also operated motels in Pasadena, Calif. and Tacoma, Wash. and sold real estate until they retired. They moved to Tubac in the mid-1970’s. The Johnsons were able to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary before Peter’s death in 1997. Sandy moved to Green Valley in 2003.

Sandy loved art, music, history, and travel. She found great joy in taking her son and grandchildren to see the wonders of Europe. She was active in the Tubac Historical Society, the Art Center in Tubac, and was a 50-year member of Delta Delta Delta Sorority. She was also a member of Desert Hills Lutheran Church in Green Valley and loved the Lord.

Sandy was preceded in death by her husband Peter Johnson; and her son Michael Johnson. She is survived by her son Peter Johnson Jr. and wife Anne; grandchildren David and Katherine Johnson; daughter-in-law Suzanne Johnson; brother William Meyer; nephew Robert Saul (Pam); niece Cynthia Palmer (Scott); Maggie Jo, her faithful dog of 13 years; and many, many friends.

A memorial service for Eloise “Sandy” Johnson is scheduled for Nov. 7, 2009, at 1 p.m. at the Desert Hills Lutheran Church in Green Valley. A reception will follow at the Rex Ranch around 2:30 p.m. Please RSVP for the reception at johnson618@cableone.net or call 928-241-8620.

Donations in Sandy’s memory may be made to the Tubac Historical Society, P.O. Box 3261, Tubac, AZ 85646.