Jacquelyn Fern Rossall Johnson passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, at Lehigh Valley Hospital in Allentown, Pennsylvania at the age of 73 on December 27, 2018, after suffering a stroke at her home in Red Hill, Pennsylvania during the previous week.
Jacquelyn was born on June 28, 1945 in Akron, Ohio to Chauncey Newkirk Rossall and Mae LaVonne Kohler Rossall, and baptized into the Congregational Church in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio on February 16, 1947. She was a 1963 graduate of Overbrook High School in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She earned an associates degree in arts and sciences from Finger Lakes Community College in Canandaigua, New York in 1980.
In 1964 while living and working in Philadelphia Jacquelyn met her husband Jeffrey Johnson of Bradford, Pennsylvania, who was then attending Drexel University. Jacquelyn and Jeff were married at the Bradford Methodist Church in September of 1966. They raised their two sons in Canandaigua, where Jacquelyn lived most of her life.
Jacquelyn was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her eldest son Newkirk Johnson of Warren, Pennsylvania; son Chad Johnson (wife Amanda) of El Cerrito, California; sister Adrienne DeVeber (husband Steve) of Wilmington, Delaware; sister Kathryn Rossall of Trumbauersville, Pennsylvania; granddaughter Leah Johnson of El Cerrito; niece Lauren DeVeber of Wilmington; and niece Susan Heitz of Wilmington.
An animal lover, most of Jacquelyn’s career was spent in the veterinary field, working at three different veterinary hospitals in the Canandaigua area through the years. She enjoyed hiking, swimming, sailing, cross-country skiing, gardening, playing Scrabble, and – especially – training dogs. Her favorite breed was the Shetland sheepdog. The sport of dog agility became her passion. Jacquelyn was accomplished and renowned in dog agility not only as a competitor, but also as a professional trainer. Her beloved champion Sheltie “Denver” (1999-2014) was likewise well-known and loved in the dog agility community.
Jacquelyn’s wish was to be cremated. The family will hold a service honoring her life during the summer of 2019. She will be laid to rest near her father at Willow Dale Cemetery in Bradford, Pennsylvania. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to Friends of Allegheny Wilderness in Warren, Pennsylvania would be appreciated.
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Mary Jo Johnson
Jacquelyn was an amazing and talented lady. Her story brings tears and memories. She was my friend, my mentor, my camping buddy, hiking buddy, training partner and so much more. I will miss her very much. Rest now my friend. I will take good care of Brinna. She is very happy here with my Shelties and Robbie has a wonderful home. Love you <3. My sincere condolences to her family.
judy rozewski
Jacquelyn will be missed. She was a great friend to many , always giving , helping and supporting. My condolences to her family and friends. I am a better person for having known her. Thank you Jacquelyn
judy rozewski
Jacquelyn was a special person. She was a great friend to many , always sharing ,giving and supportive . My condolences to her family and friends. I am a better person for having known her . Thank you for all you shared with me and my pups, Rest in peace Jacquelyn
Jane Jackson
Jacquelyn was a wonderful supporter of dogs, people and the new (at the time) sport of dog agility. She mentored so many of us and I fondly remember her wonderful shelties and her lovely Terv. My deepest sympathies to her family.
Heather
Jacquelyn was a wonderful friend and animal lover. I first met her through group agility classes then worked with her one-on-one for private agility training sessions. We eventually became good friends and talked often even after she moved from the Canandaigua area. Years ago, she helped me train a rescued Chesapeake Bay Retriever named Billy to go on to earn many agility titles and become the #1 ranked Chessie in the country in AKC agility.
We lived near each other and would sometimes have dinner either at her house or mine. I still have a soup recipe of hers that I will always treasure because she was happy to have tried it for the first time on me…and it was delicious! She loved her backyard on Brace Rd which was only 10 minutes from me and appreciated some perennial plants I gave her and the occasional gardening opinion. She really liked hummingbirds and, even after moving to Pennsylvania, would ask me about what she might plant at her new home to attract them. So when I see a hummingbird, I often think of her and probably always will.
I just loved watching Jacquelyn run her dogs on an agility course because she was so positive and encouraging with them. What lucky pups to have a doggie mom like her! She really had a way with dogs including my big brown beasts! I loved being around her and will always miss her. I send my condolences to her family and friends. Jacquelyn was a very special woman.
Heather tuckerfilm(at)aol(dot)com