Barbara Jean Gibson Johnson

Barbara Jean Gibson Johnson, 91, of Manchester, died April 8, 2016 at The Manor at Birch Hill Terrace with her beloved husband of nearly 68 years, Elmore "Jake" Johnson, at her side.
Born November 24, 1924 in Concord, she was the daughter of Helen (Curran) and Harold C. Gibson, proprietor of Gibson's Bookstore, which was founded by her grandfather, until the Great Depression altered the economics of life.
Barbara graduated from Concord High School and then from the University of New Hampshire, class of 1947, where she was the president of Alpha Xi Delta sorority. At the end of World War II, among the GI's returning to the UNH campus was a U.S. Navy pilot and her future husband, Jake Johnson. They married in 1948 and Barbara taught school until starting their family. Jake's career with Public Service Company of NH afforded them the opportunity to reside in many NH communities, including Nashua, Manchester, Laconia and North Hampton, where they contributed to community life and forged lifelong friendships.
Barbara returned to the classroom as a special education teacher in Laconia, then in Hampton, along with continuing her commitment to community service. She served as president of the Elliot Hospital Junior Associates, a Girl Scout and Cub Scout leader, a member of the League of Women Voters, as well as serving in several other service and charitable organizations.
Retirement brought Barbara and Jake to North Port, FL, where for 22 years they were active members of St. Nathaniel Episcopal Church, enjoyed golf and forged even more lasting friendships. In 2006, Barbara and Jake returned to New Hampshire, settling at Birch Hill Terrace, to be closer to family.
In addition to her beloved husband, she is survived by two sisters, Patricia Gibson Baker of Carmichael, CA and Joan Gibson Reid of Elk Grove, CA; her two daughters, Judith "Jaye" Gibson Duffy (Patrick Duffy) of Manchester and Nancy Coolidge Tortolani (Mark Tortolani) of Richmond, RI; a son, William Gibson Johnson (Diane Harper) of Swanzey; three grandchildren and two great grandchildren; several nieces and nephews and cherished friends from a lifetime.
The family is grateful to the staff of The Manor at Birch Hill Terrace and to the VNA Hospice of Southern NH for their loving care of Barbara.
SERVICES: There are no calling hours. A memorial service will take place at the convenience of the family. Interment will be at the New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery in Boscawen.
Memorial donations may be made to Birch Hill Terrace Benevolent Fund, 200 Alliance Way, Manchester, NH 03102, or to VNA Hospice of Manchester & So. NH, 1070 Holt Ave, Suite 1400, Manchester, NH 03109.
Lambert Funeral Home & Crematory, Manchester is assisting the family with arrangements.