Carolyn Kemler Johnson
Carolyn Kemler Johnson, 90, of Cape Coral, a loving wife, mother and grandmother, passed away Monday, March 30, 2009. She was born in 1918 in Oak Park, Ill.
A former longtime resident of Geneva and St. Charles, Ill., she graduated from York High School in Elmhurst, Ill., and Lawrence University. She and Jim were married in December 1941, and after World War II, returned to the Chicago area to live, work and raise their family.
A devoted mother, she instilled in her children her love of books and reading, and as the children grew into their teens, she began her long association with libraries as a formally trained librarian and a passionate volunteer.
She carried her love of all things “books” with her when she and Jim relocated to Cape Coral in 1988, becoming an active volunteer with the Cape Coral Library. She served as the president of the Friends and Trustees of the Cape Coral Library during the merger with Little Acorns, and subsequently served two terms as president of the Lee County Library Advisory Committee and Little Acorns, Friends of the Cape Coral Library.
She loved to travel with Jim, whether it was an opera or symphony pilgrimage through Europe and Russia, elephant riding in India or a visit to the ancestral home in Ireland.
“Lord, in thy mercy, grants us a safe lodging, and a holy rest, and peace at the last.”
She is survived by her children, Jim (Kathy Schweikart) of Minneapolis, Minn., and Jane of Novato, Calif.; son-in-law, Michael Farrell of Lincoln, Neb.; sister, Dorothy (Dewey) Lockhart of Cape Coral; and grandchildren, Brian and Anya of Minneapolis, Minn., Narayan of Novato, Calif., and Patrick, Owen and Eileen of Lincoln, Neb.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her loving husband of 65 years, Jim; and daughter, Kathrine Anne.
A memorial service will be held at a later date.
Memorials are preferred to Cape Coral/Fort Myers Hope Hospice, Little Acorns of the Cape Coral Library or a hospice organization of the donor’s choice.
Arrangements by Harvey Englehardt Funeral and Cremation Services.