Nancy Elizabeth Johnson passed away in her Lewiston home the morning of Tuesday, April 20, 2010, after a two-year struggle with cancer. Nancy was born Sept. 24, 1949, to Elizabeth Louise Hines and Lloyd Grant Clawson at Myrtle Point, Ore. She grew up in Eugene, Ore., graduating from South Eugene High School in 1967.
As a young lady, her favorite activities were taking ballet classes at Faye Knox's studio, marching as a majorette while twirling her baton with the high school band, taking art classes and playing the Spanish Fandango on her guitar with friends in Washington Park.
Her first marriage sadly ended in divorce but produced the first true love of her life, her son Loren Charles Schademan. It was at this point in time that she attended carpentry classes at Columbia Basin College in Pasco. Preceding the completion of her education she began her woodworking career at Hermiston Cabinets and later moved to Western Door and Cabinets.
In 1986, she married Frank Lynn Johnson, and this marriage produced the second true love of her life, her son Taylor William Johnson. In 1993, after some time away from her career spent at home with her family, Nancy returned to her trade for 16 years as an instructional assistant at Lewiston High School in the ICA wood shop, helping to teach carpentry, manufacturing and leather crafts. It was her deeply held belief that students "felt better about themselves when they held something they made with their own hands." Unfortunately, in January 2009, Nancy was forced to retire from this position because of the onset of illness. Nancy truly loved her position at LHS and missed it very much after retirement.
Surviving her in the family home are her loving husband, Frank Johnson, and her beloved cats, Mickey and Lucky. She is also survived by her son Charles Schademan and wife Tanya with grandchildren Hailey and Sheldon, all of Lewiston; her son Taylor Johnson and his companion Chelsey Wolkoff, both of Lewiston; stepdaughter Summer Kaufman with grandchildren Tanner, Katie and Maddie, all of Clarkston; a sister, Jenny Clawson of Eugene; a brother, Jon Dawley of Lewiston; niece Nancy Person of Eugene; and nephews Nick Pearson of Eugene and Jesse Campbell and wife Rachel, with their children, Jerica and Alex, all of Lewiston.
Nancy's family and pets were always with her to provide aid and emotional support during both times of good health and illness. Nancy's immediate family would like to extend a special thanks to Tammy Dibble of Clarkston for the invaluable assistance she gave during the past weeks.
At Nancy's request no funeral service is planned. A memorial will take place at a later date.
Nancy requested donations be made to the American Cancer Society, Nez Perce County Humane Society, or Habitat for Humanity. In addition, donations to the Nancy Johnson Cancer Benefit Fund can be made at any US Bank location.
