"I am so very sorry to hear about the loss of Adell. She was a wonderful lady! I was a neighbor of hers in Seattle, as she sold me a lot of Avon over the course of 10 years before we moved to Camas, Washington and even sold me Avon while in Camas, Washington for a short time. I remember attending her 90th birthday just a few short years ago like it was yesterday. We?ve lost touch with each other over the past couple of years, but I never failed to send her a Christmas card, my last one in 2017. If only I had known. To her 3 sons, family and friends, you have my deepest condolences and most heartfelt sympathy. My heart is breaking. What a huge loss to you all! Know that she is very much loved and remembered. She will be greatly missed! Love always, Vivian DiGioia and Family. "
In loving memory of
Adell Alta Johnson
December 17, 1921 - December 5, 2017
Adell A. Johnson was born in Gadsby, Alberta Canada on December 17, 1921. Her parents were Alta and David Protheroe. Alta was born in Nebraska and David in Wales. Her father died when Adell was only nine years old and she and her mother and sister struggled on their own through the depression years. Her mother married Chuck Ford in 1938 and the family moved to Washington state, where Adell graduated from Concrete High School in 1939. She married Axel Johnson in 1943 and they had a strong loving marriage until his passing in 2001. They are survived by three sons - David (and partner Howard Neal), Terry (and wife Sally) and Scott as well as two grandchildren - Micheal (and wife Teresa) and Desiree. Adell had one sister, Elinore, who passed away at the young age of 43 in 1967.
Avon was a big part of Adell's life. To quote Adell, "I have always said I would stop selling Avon when I no longer found it exciting, fun and profitable. Selling Avon keeps my mind sharp, my life full of friends and my competitive spirit alive." She never had to stop selling. She made the President's Club award level every single year, including 2017. She recently confessed that "I never really felt old until about age 94."
Adell loved her family, hosting family gatherings for many decades. She especially loved Christmas - always a big deal. After a fall in August of 2016 she moved into her own apartment at Brookdale Senior Living. Here Adell made many new friends (and customers!) among the residents and the staff. For the last six months she had kind caregivers who would spend the nighttime hours with her and accomplish chores to help make her life more comfortable. Adell sold her home in 2017 and left behind 66 years of memories and many wonderful neighbors.
Adell had a rich life. She and her husband took numerous trips and cruises - and she continued to travel after his passing. Her last big trip was an Alaska cruise in 2015. Her creative side came out in her ceramic work in the 1950s and later with her jewelry creations. Adell was bright and mentally sharp until the end - still managing her own finances and making her own life decisions. She was always optimistic and hopeful and never lost her sense of humor. Her friends knew they could always count on her to be there for them and her family always knew how much she loved them.
Tributes
"David, Scott, Terry and family. Your mother ad I have a very special friendship that spanned over 18 years. She was the epitome of grace and elegance and I adored her. I met her through Avon and from the very first meeting I knew we would be long time friends. We exchanged Easter and Christmas cards every year without fail and she would always share with me the wonderful adventures she had with you all during her month-long birthday celebrations. As I sit here gathering addresses for my Christmas cards this year, I am overwhelmed with grief upon learning this news. My prayers go out to your family and I hope you find comfort knowing the wonderful legacy your mom leaves behind. "
"All the wonderful things you said about your mom are so true. She had such a full life. I remember her saying when she was young she was very shy and she starting selling Avon to become more outgoing. Little did she know that selling Avon would enrich her life in so many ways. I always loved going to your home so I could sort and organize her Avon inventory. When I was 16 (I could hardly wait) she introduced me to my first job of selling Avon. At that time we had walking routes. Auntie Dell was such a creative woman, and so positive and giving. She will be missed by everyone. She was the last family member in her generation to pass. I want to think of her with Uncle Ax and Mom and Dad dancing around in heaven. My love to you..Patty"
"David, Scott, Terry and Family: What an elegance was Adell..........what a joy to know she had so many wonderful experiences..........my best to you all.............Ronald W. Parrish Newberg, Oregon"