Madge Johns

Madge (Hazlett) Johns passed away on March 13, 2013 of a prolonged illness. She was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, Bill; and survived by their children: Donald Johns and his wife Pam Martin of Las Vegas, Nevada and their children: Athena Johns of San Francisco, California, and Allegra Chambers and her husband Ron and their daughter: Olive of Oakland, California, Jan Villa of Albuquerque and her children: William Johns-Villa of Pottstown, Pennsylvania, and Ryan Villa and his wife Vanessa and children: Austin, Celeste, and Adalyn of Albuquerque, Lawrence Johns and his wife Nina of Las Vegas, New Mexico and their children: Jennifer Donovan and her husband JJ and their daughter: Campbell of Bourbonnais, Illinois: and Megan Johns and her fiancé Scott Toole of Yuma, Arizona, and Mia Brink and her husband Keith of Albuquerque and their children: Andrew Goodin and his wife Dani of St. Louis, Missouri, and Abigail Goodin of Albuquerque; She is also survived by her brother and sister, Bill and Jane Hazlett in Pennsylvania.She was born May 5, 1928 in Wyoming, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, in the family home where her father, Almon C. Hazlett, had his medical office. Her mother was Josephine (Heiligman) Hazlett and her siblings were Grace (Hazlett) Hankins, Jane Hazlett and William (Bill) Hazlett. She first attended Wyoming schools, then she attended and graduated from Hampton DuBose Academy in Zellwood, Florida.From early childhood, Madge studied and played violin many years. While at “Y” camp, she learned to swim at age six in the Susquehanna River in Pennsylvania. She attended Mountainbrook Camp (a summer camp in the Pocono Mountains) in the same state where she was a camper, then graduated to counselor to ten and eleven-year-olds. She took campers on long hikes to the Delaware Water Gap or up nearby mountains. Madge met her husband, William (Bill) Campbell Johns, during their junior year at Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois, in September 1947, upon his return from the Army after World War II. By December they were engaged, knowing that marriage would come much later. Their strong faith would see them through. She began nursing school at St. Luke’s in Chicago in 1948 while Bill attended the Northwestern University School of Medicine; she graduated from nursing school in 1951 and married on March 17 that year in the Grace Presbyterian church in the same city. They lived in Kansas City four years during Bill’s internship and obstetrics and gynecology residency. Son, Don, was born there in 1952 and daughter, Jan, in 1954. The family moved to Albuquerque, Bill’s hometown, in 1956, where he began his medical practice. Son, Larry, was born shortly thereafter, then daughter, Mia, in 1959. Madge was a homemaker throughout the children’s growing-up years. During that time she was on a number of non-profit community boards, including United Way for six years; the Albuquerque Tutoring Council; Meals on Wheels, where she volunteered for 20-plus years and Planned Parenthood of New Mexico, which she co-founded in 1974. She was given the Margaret Sanger award in 1984 and was active on the fund-raising Special Events Committee.She and the family enjoyed many vacations throughout the southwest and into Mexico, visiting state and national parks, camping and water skiing. In the winter, downhill skiing with children and grandchildren provided exhilarating times. Travel with Bill to many countries was enjoyable and educational. All kinds of music was heard in her household on her CDs; opera and the New Mexico Symphony “pops” and classics were enjoyed, along with Popejoy’s Broadway shows. Books were always in evidence, shared with and by family members; a favorite true-crime author was Ann Rule. Twenty-five photo albums are filled with her photographs; many are displayed in computer slideshows. Unknown by most, was her passion for open wheel race (Indy) cars, begun when she was taken by a friend to her first race as a teenager in Philadelphia. She and Bill attended races from Pennsylvania to California; her 80th birthday was celebrated along with twelve other family members at the Fort Worth track in June of 2008. Research of her ancestors was begun in 1991 and included countless research hours in libraries, on the internet and travels both in this country and abroad. Two major books, her matriarchal and patriarchal lineages, were compiled on the computer, then printed and shared with family members and new cousins, found through her research.She was active at Immanuel Presbyterian Church, the first Albuquerque church she and Bill attended after their move to Albuquerque. She was active in the women’s organization, chaired the Miriam Circle and taught a Bible survey series. They later attended First Presbyterian, then Sandia Presbyterian Church, where she volunteered in the Interfaith Hospitality Service, a program serving homeless people. She was so proud of her children and grandchildren because of all their accomplishments, their special talents, their volunteerism and generosity to others and in their chosen fields which includes medicine, social work, accounting, teaching, environmentalism, the law, Peace Corps and natural healing. They and their spouses were never too busy to lend a hand when needed. Interment will take place at Sunset Memorial Park. Pallbearers are sons, Don and Larry, grandsons, Will, Ryan, and Andrew and great-grandson, Austin. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, March 23, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. at Sandia Presbyterian Church, 10704 Paseo del Norte N.E., with Dr. David Casson officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Planned Parenthood of New Mexico, Sandia Presbyterian Church Interfaith Hospitality or the charity of your choice.

Madge Johns

May 5, 1928 - March 13, 2013