To Jeanette's Family, When my mom called me last night to inform me of Jeanette's passing, my heart and mind were filled with both a strong feeling of sadness and a multitude of fond memories. I couldn't help but think back to my most recent visit with Jeanette in January while home on a break from graduate school down here in Illinois. We enjoyed coffee and chocolates together, solved half of the world's problems, and just caught up on events in each other's lives. She always took time to care about what was happening in my life. I have known Mrs. Johnson, or "Jeanette" as she insisted on my calling her years later, ever since I was in her third grade class back in 1996-1997 (her last year of teaching), and over the years, she became a very precious friend to me. While in her class, my progress as a student accelerated. She had a way of motivating me to get as close to perfection as I could in my schoolwork, and she reinforced a good sense of discipline in me that has served me well over the years. "Mrs. Johnson" had a reputation for being tough--I remember writing out 50 "I will not..." sentences more than once!--but her high standards spurred me on to the best work I could possibly produce, and she taught me to set my own high standards. And oh what a treat it was, on the other hand, to receive reward and praise from her! She had a very good sense of balance in dealing with her students. When I was in middle school, Jeanette hired me to do yardwork for her in the spring, summer, and fall, and I did so for several years. We worked hard together out in the yard that she got so much pleasure from, but we'd always take a break partway through to sit out on the deck with refreshments and chat. Her propensity to teach never ended--she taught me so much about Negaunee history, and she taught me an awful lot about life, too, during those little chats. Jeanette was a woman who loved her little spot on that Croix street corner, loved her cats, and who was fiercely loyal to her friends. And she wasn't afraid to share her honest opinion, a trait I came to value and appreciate. As Robyn Clancy wrote, it certainly was a blessing indeed to have her as a teacher and a high honor to call her my friend. I know I could say much, much more, but mere words could never adequately compose a fitting memorial for Jeanette--a woman who impacted my life in so many ways, small and large. I was really hoping to stop by and visit her again this summer when I made it home again, to sit once more out on her deck with her, tea and cookies in hand, enjoying the warm breeze and the songbirds, talking about the small pleasures in life, and solving our world's problems together. All I really know right now is that I miss her immensely already, and I will be telling many Jeanette Johnson stories to my friends and family for years to come. You may be assured that her memory will always be cherished by this young man! I extend to you all of my sincerest sympathy, and may the comfort that comes only from above envelop you all in this time of loss.