Obituary of Alice H. Johnson

Alice (Ozzie) Harkrader Johnson , 90, of 98 Forest Ave., Jamestown, died on Wednesday, September 10, in her home. It was her wish that her last days be spent in the room where her beloved husband of sixty-eight years, Dr. J. Norman Johnson, was both born and died. Alice was nicknamed "Ozzie" simply because her youngest sister Nancy wasn't able to pronounce her big sister's given name. Ozzie was born in Westfield, NJ, a daughter of the late Wilbur and Katherine Beebe Harkrader, and summered as a child at Camp Mudjekeewis in Maine, where she developed a lifelong love of swimming, no matter how cold the water. Ozzie graduated from Smith College in 1945, and late last year returned to her alma mater with three of her grandsons to visit the campus and walk the five flights of stairs to her old dorm room. A resident of Jamestown for sixty-two years, Ozzie served on the board of directors of the Warner Home and was a devoted member of the Chautauqua Lake Yacht Club; in fact, just last year she ran for its Board of Directors. Ozzie and her husband Norm were best friends. They built furniture together, fished together, and relished their summer vacations with family and friends at Mud Island and then at Wolfe Island, both in Canada. After Norm's death, Ozzie's bravery, independence, and love of life were especially apparent. She looked forward to her Friday dinners at the CLYC's "round table" with her good friends Dee and Howard Howlett, Dick Turner, Bob Walkerman, and Andrea and Art McLean. She also spent late afternoons at the club working on her needlepoint projects. Ozzie and her new friend Elaine Stroebel traveled to Erie regularly to shop and lunch, and Ozzie developed a special bond with her caregiver, Richard Baer, who was devoted to her. Ozzie is survived by her four children, Jonas, David, Elizabeth, and Erik; eight grandsons; and six great grandchildren. As sad as her family is, they take solace in Ozzie's words: "You're not gone as long as someone remembers you." A graveside service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, October 25, 2014 in Lake View Cemetery. Visitation will not be observed. Following interment there will be a celebration of her life to be held at the Chautauqua Lake Yacht Club. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Roger Tory Peterson Institute, 311 Curtis St. Jamestown, NY 14701. You may light a candle in remembrance of "Ozzie" at www.lindfuneralhome.com.