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JOHNSON -- Denise Simms Johnson died peacefully in her sleep December 21, 2006 at her home in Taos. She is survived by her son, Erik; daughter, Seah; mother and father, David and Betty Lou Simms; brother, David Simms and his wife, Jane; sister, Cori Ewing and her husband, Steve; sister, Lou Ann Hillman and husband, Tom; nieces and nephews, Cody, Molly, Jamie, and Jake Simms, Josh and Cai Ewing, Leslie and Kristin Hillman; numerous aunts, uncles, cousins; and many dear friends. Dee was born in Albuquerque in 1952. She attended the University of New Mexico where she was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma and majored in Special Education. After working briefly as a ski instructor, she went on to form Big J Enterprises with her husband, Gary, before becoming the First Lady of New Mexico in 1995. As First Lady, she was a strong advocate of early childhood literacy, child safety, and anti-smoking legislation. She was a powerful ally and patron of the arts, and helped to establish many important collections at museums throughout New Mexico. Her most recent efforts focused on the Alumni Association at the University of New Mexico where she was working to transform Hodgin Hall into UNM's new Alumni Center. She was a charismatic free spirit who loved her family, friends, and New Mexico. Her devotion to improving our state was unrelenting, and her good work here will carry on for generations. She will be dearly missed by all who knew her. May her spirit of service, abundance of love, and enduring vitality live on within us all. A celebration of her life will be held at the UNM's SUB ballroom on January 6, 2007 at 10:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Dee Johnson Memorial Fund at the Albuquerque Community Foundation, P.O. Box 36960, Albuquerque, NM 87176-6960. Also, please remember the power of a service donation, follow her lead and volunteer.
        Published on: Fri January 05, 2007