Longtime Staten Island resident, nurse, teacher and artist Jane Johnson, 93, died June 22, 2024, in Middletown. Jane grew up in New Rochelle, New York, with her parents, Elsie and Kenneth Marsden and brothers George and Carl. Jane married Philip Johnson (d. 1965) with whom she had two children.
Jane lived most of her life on Staten Island. She started working as a nurse at Seaview TB Hospital, then St. Vincent’s and Staten Island hospitals. She worked as a nursing educator at Curtis High School for 28 years and then at the College of Staten Island.
After graduating as an RN from Wagner College, Jane’s passion for learning and teaching led her to earn a Master of Science in surgical nursing from Hunter College, a Master of Arts in educational media from NYU, and a Master of Science in education administration from Pace University, all while working full time and raising her two children.
Jane’s zest for life, her dedication as a healer and her creative brilliance inspired all who knew her. She traveled with fellow retired teachers, studied basket weaving and expanded her skills as a health practitioner with training in Jin Shin Jyutsu.
A member of Staten Island Quilters, Moonlight Quilters and Rebecca Reel Quilters, Jane also taught retiree quilting classes at the UFT. She volunteered at Staten Island’s botanical garden, helping inaugurate the Chinese Scholar’s Garden, and was a member of Garden Club RFD, giving garden talks over the years on ferns, roses and flower arranging.
With her partner of nearly 30 years, Larry Owen (d. 2003), Jane taught sailing to children, including her own grandchildren, as an active member of the Richmond County Yacht Club.
In 2004, after Larry’s death, Jane moved to Shadow Lake near Red Bank. In New Jersey, Jane continued her active roles at the Garden Club RFD and Rebecca Reel Quilters for many years. Jane lived a long and vibrant life full of learning, creating, caring and devotion to her family.
Jane leaves behind her brother Carl (Marsden), her daughter Janice Johnson (Bill) Ostrander, son Geoffrey (Terry) Johnson, grandson Daniel (Christina) Johnson, granddaughter Amanda (Jose) Paulino and great-grandchildren Luke, Chloe and Santiago.
A private service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to a favorite botanical garden or charity.
Thompson Memorial Home, Red Bank, has been entrusted with the arrangements.
The article originally appeared in the July 4 – 10, 2024 print edition of The Two River Times.
