Virginia Johnson

Mary Virginia Johnson, age 97, died peacefully on May 10, 2023. She was preceded in death by
her husband, Philip A, and son Douglas M. Surviving family include her daughter, Cynthia T of
Boulder, sister-in-law Norma O of Arlington VA and numerous nieces and nephews. Virginia was
also blessed with a wide array of friends from the nearly 75 years living in Denver, among them,
Adam and Kathy C of Centennial who felt the privilege of knowing her. She was a genuine soul
and will be missed and remembered by all for her independent spirit, her love of the Denver
Broncos, and always being unapologetically true to herself.  

Born in Cambridge, Ohio, she and family moved to Iowa and finally to Durham, NH where her
father taught at the University of New Hampshire. It was at the Hanover Inn at Dartmouth
where she met Phil. They married in 1948, and like true 49’ers, they drove cross country and
relocated in Denver, camping along the way.

Virginia was a proud and loving mother, and she would say that her greatest accomplishment was raising her two children. Yet Virginia simultaneously obtained her master’s degree in Chilean History. Additionally, she was a tireless champion of causes dear to her. She worked at the Solar Energy Research Institute and in the toy business. She volunteered at St. Luke’s Hospital, Spaulding Rehab Center, Planned Parenthood, League of Women Voters, The Conflict Center, multiple church boards, and the Denver Public Library. She was awarded the Rex Morgan Social Action Award for her dedicated involvement with Health Care For All Colorado in 2008. She was a real go-getter with an energy that touched everyone with whom she worked. She and Phil also travelled extensively; the tribal hills of Chiang Mai was a memorable trip.

Virginia had a deep appreciation of nature and loved the mountains and rivers of Colorado. A
riverside memorial is planned for a later date. In lieu of flowers, kindly consider a donation to
one of the following. The Trees Remember works through non-profit conservation groups who
are planting trees in U.S. National Forests, which have been destroyed by forest fires, insects,
natural disasters, etc., and they restore indigenous tree species where they are needed,
https://thetreesremember.com/memorial-trees/. The Conflict Center provides practical skills
and training to address everyday conflicts through relationship building. They are steadfastly
committed to being at the center of nonviolence in families, schools, workplaces, and
communities, https://www.coloradogives.org/organization/conflictcenter . 

If you choose to donate to The Trees Remember, please use the above link.