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JOHNSON -- Joan Harnitt Johnson, 85, died peacefully Saturday, June 3, 2006. Born October 6, 1920, in Ardmore, OK to John Maurice Hartnitt and Amanda Jane (Jordan) Hartnitt. Preceded in death by her parents; and infant sister; sister, Berneice Hartnitt Davidson; and husband, Charles, Johnson. Survived by cousin, Gayle Reeves of Jackson, MS; nephew, John Robert Davidson and wife, Linda; brother, Father Francis X. Eggert; sister, Shirley Villa and husband, Charles; sister, Phyllis Ables; brother, Pete Spehar and numerous nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and -nephews, all of Albuquerque. Joan spent her childhood in Ardmore, OK. Her father owned, trained, and traded horses. An accomplished horsewoman, she began riding at age 3 1/2, and always rode in the parades in Ardmore and later, here in New Mexico. After her mother died following a brief illness when Joan was 14, the family eventually moved to Gallup, NM. In 1943, Joan enlisted in the Navy, serving in the WAVES for 2 1/2 years. Her postings took her to Washington, D.C. and New York City, and while she found that she enjoyed travel, she returned home to New Mexico when she completed her time in the Navy. In 1946, she took advantage of the GI Bill, attending the Albuquerque Business College to study secretarial subjects. Here, Joan found a career and a second home, becoming part of the Eggert family who operated the Business College. A bright woman and a conscientious student, she acquired exceptional secretarial skills, excelling particularly in shorthand. She then took a job at Sandia National Labs, where she worked for more than 14 years as a Division Secretary. While working at Sandia, Joan attended St. Joseph's College, earning her Bachelor's Degree. She also found time to take ballroom dancing, which led her to discover the two great loves of her life: ballroom dancing and her husband, Charles. While attending a Senior Singles evening at the Solo Club, Joan met "a good dancer" Charles Johnson. He was pleasantly surprised to find that Joan knew as many dances as he, and soon he was picking up her every week to go dancing. After a year, they married. It was the first marriage for Joan and Charles, both in their 40s, and they were perfectly suited for one another. Joan often said, "We are usually the first couple on the dance floor when the orchestra would start to play." They spent 17 wonderful years together while Charles' work as an architect took them to Seattle, Wichita, Topeka, San Antonio, San Francisco, and finally, Ridgecrest, CA. They danced all around the country and all through their marriage. In 1983, Charles died of lung cancer and Joan once again came home to Albuquerque. For 12 years Joan lived at The Vineyard where she enjoyed water aerobics, line dancing and many good friends. She served several terms as secretary of the Homeowner's Association. Joan spent the last three years in assisted living where she was compassionately cared for by David Alderete and Richard Moya. Joan was a convert to Catholicism and very devout in her faith. She and Charles shared that faith and were active members of the Church throughout their marriage. Her kindness, sweet spirit and generosity were a gift to all who knew her and remain an inspiration to the family she left behind. We will miss her dearly, but celebrate knowing that she is in God's hands and is once again dancing with her beloved, Charles. Rosary will be recited Wednesday, June 7, 2006, at 7:00 p.m., at French Mortuary, Lomas Blvd. Chapel, with Father Francis X. Eggert, reciting. Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated Thursday, June 8, 2006, 10:00 a.m., at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church, 4020 Lomas Blvd. NE, with Father Francis X. Eggert, Celebrant. Interment will follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Casa Angelica Home, 5629 Isleta Blvd. SW, Albuquerque, NM 87105 or to the charity of your choice. French Mortuary 10500 Lomas Blvd. NE 275-3500
        Published on: Thu June 08, 2006