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Jean McKinley Johnson ’45

A picture of Jean McKinley Johnson

Jean McKinley Johnson ’45, April 13, 2009, in Portland. Jean's introduction to Reed came through her father, political science professor Charles McKinley [political science 1918–60]. She grew up in the Eastmoreland neighborhood in Portland and enjoyed recreation with her family in the Oregon and Washington Cascades. Before transferring to Reed, where she earned a BA in political science, Jean attended Antioch College, and interned at Macy's in New York City and at the Jewish Children's Hospital. At Reed, she met Donald N. Johnson ’46, whom she married in 1946; they were married until his death in 2006. The couple lived in a number of cities on the West Coast, initially in California, where Jean worked at a children's library in Mill Creek. In support of their son and daughter, Jean volunteered in schools and for the PTA. She later joined the League of Women Voters, and volunteered for various Eugene (Oregon) city commissions. The family traveled and lived in a number of places, included Venezuela and Europe. A favorite place for Jean was the family's beach house in Ocean Park, Washington. In retirement, Jean and Don moved back to Eastmoreland—half a block away from Jean's childhood home. They continued to travel in retirement and enjoy golf, and later moved into Rose Villa Retirement Center. Jean's brothers, Donald McKinley ’39 and Hugh McKinley ’41, also graduated from Reed.

Appeared in Reed magazine: November 2009