|
OBIT:
Joan Marie Johnston (Jody to friends, Miss J. to students)
born December 4, 1929 in Minneapolis, Minn., passed
away September 21, 2003 at her home in El Cajon with
her family there.
Graduated Leuzinger High School in 1946
and UCSD in 1958 with a B.A.
Joan started playing field hockey in high
school. She continued as a player in Los Angeles until
1962 when she started the San Diego Field Hockey Association
with 18 members/players.
Joan (Squirrel) held the positions of
Assistant Camp Director and Camp Director for the Girl
Scout Camp in Idylwild in the 1960's.
She taught Physical Education in the Grossmont
Union High School District at El Cajon Valley High School
for 31 years and coached their field hockey team for
the love of the game (no charge to the District) and
for several years after she retired in 1989. Miss J.
was class advisor for many, many classes during her
teaching career. The year book was dedicated to her
in 1963.
In 1978 the California Coaches Association
awarded her Coach of the Year for Field Hockey (she
was so proud).
In 1979 Miss J. took her ECVHS hockey
team to Ireland for three weeks. They played Irish teams
and stayed in the homes of the Irish players. It was
an educational experience of a lifetime for her team
to see and meet another culture and to travel internationally.
The girls, under Miss J's direction, earned the majority
of the money for the trip from parents, sponsors, bake
sales, car washes and other fund raising endeavors.
During the 80's and 90's Jody was Chairman
of the Pacific Southwest Section of the United States
Field Hockey Association.
She organized and ran a Summer Camp for
teenagers interested in Field Hockey for many years
and recruited coaches from the United States and abroad
to teach the game.
In 1989 the San Diego Hall of Champions
presented a Breitbard Certificate of Athletic Achievement
to Joan Johnston for serving as Girls Athletic Director
for 7 years, coaching Field Hockey, Swimming and Softball
at El Cajon over a 25 year period. She was one of two
women out of 17 people who were honored.
Jody volunteered at the Atlanta Olympic
Games in 1996 and had a great time.
She was caught in a hallway at the Olympic
Training Center in Chula Vista by Secret Service men
when then Vice-President, Al Gore was entering the hallway.
He introduced himself, they shook hands, he looked at
her hat (where she wore her latest pins) and said, "You
want to trade?" She gave him one of her hockey
pins and he gave her a VP pin. She enjoyed every minute
of her encounter with him.
On February 5, 2001 she was given a Coaches
Award by the High School Sports Association of San Diego
for her untiring efforts throughout the years. It carries
with it heartfelt thanks for loyalty and friendship
which will long be remembered and appreciated.
In November of 2001 Jody was inducted
into the San Diego Hall of Champions as a Coaching Legend.
Her love for her students was what kept
her going and going and going (like the bunny). She
fought for her kids whenever and wherever she was needed.
She made a difference in the lives of her countless
students and team members. Pointing many in different
directions, changing attitudes toward people that were
different and catching the ones who were falling through
the cracks of the educational system and society.
During her busy professional life she
found time to raise, train and show some of her horses,
particularly her Appaloosa stud, Poco. She had several
golden retrievers (Twildye, her first), many cats (her
favorite was a Siamese, Alexandra). She left two Siamese
cats, Max and Moira.
Joan was a great sister and aunt. She
enjoyed family gatherings and adored her nephews and
niece and great nephews and nieces. She loved classical
music, crossword puzzles, chocolate and coffee.
She is survived by her sister Pat Kocis,
her brother Jim Johnston, an adopted brother Dean Martin,
brother-in-law Ted Kocis nephews Rick and Michael Kocis,
niece Kelly Kocis, adopted niece Estella Turner, great
nieces Brittany and Harmony Kocis great nephews Cameron
Kocis and Kevin Kocis. She is also survived by countless
friends, hockey players and students across the United
States and abroad.
Submitted by her loving sister, Patty,
for her first and best friend, Joan.
DONATIONS: A scholarship
fund has been set up in Jody's name under the Field
Hockey West Chapter of USFHA. Checks can be sent to:
Field Hockey West (memo, Jody Johnson)
435 Victory Avenue, Mountain View, CA 94043. For more
information: email Email
Heidi or call 650.938.6746. The scholarship application
will be available early summer.
DONATIONS RECEIVED IN JODY's NAME:
Los Angeles Field Hockey Association
Kit Snider
Heidi Faith
Janice Williams |
