Bertha Johnson

"Bert", passed away Sunday, November 4th, in her home surrounded by her loving family. After a 14 month battle against a cruel cancer, her body gave up but her spirit remained unbroken against a relentless foe.Bert was born Bertha Lucia Brazier in Missoula Montana on October 19, 1951 to Francis and Simone Brazier. They moved to Renton, Wa. early in her childhood and she graduated from Renton High School in 1969. That summer she met her husband, Dennis Johnson, at Gene Coulon Park. They were married November 6, 1970. She attended Green River Community College and the University of Washington.Bert worked as a bank teller for Seattle First at several branches, including Ballard, Eastlake, and Columbia City. During this time they lived at their home in Ballard. Bert and Dennis moved to Oregon in 1977 where she continued to work in banking.In 1982 Bert and Dennis moved back to Seattle and began a successful business partnership that lasted the remainder of their 37 years together. They owned and operated a 7-Eleven Store at NE 8th in Bellevue for 5 years. They then started on a commercial real estate development career. Bert was the CFO for their company, Fairwind Properties. Together, with their partners, they developed and managed a number of shopping centers and office buildings in the Puget Sound area, many in Silverdale including the Smith Barney Building and Mariner Square. She was also the CFO for Tinseltown Video, a five store video chain founded with her husband and partners including her sister, Chris McMullen and her husband, John.In 1998 Bert and Dennis formed Fairwind Development and continued to develop commercial centers. Their latest project, Hill Top Center in Woodinville, WA, was under construction at the time of her death.In 1995 Bert and Dennis realized a lifelong dream; designing, contracting, and building their own custom home on the shores of Nesika Bay near Poulsbo, which they named The Nesika Light. Bert loved her new home and her adopted city of Poulsbo. She had finally come home.Bert was an avid runner and loved her daily runs along Lemolo Shore Drive to downtown Poulsbo. A life long "foodie", Bert collected over 450 cookbooks. She loved to entertain friends in her kitchen, sharing food, wine, and fellowship.Bert and Dennis had a 30 year love affair with sailing. They purchased "Afterglow", a Hunter 35.5, in 2003 and enjoyed taking her to the San Juans, Canada, and Desolation Sound. Lifelong Huskies, Bert & Dennis enjoyed 32 years of Husky football, tailgating, and Rose Bowls as Tyees and season ticket holders.But above all the most important part of Bert's life was the friends she accumulated in her journey through life. She would give of herself unselfishly. While she loved shopping for clothes and jewelry, often she would give them away to a friend on who "it looked just right". She touched everyone's lives and all who knew her found themselves richer. When told she was losing her battle to cancer, she mourned most that she would lose the friends and family that meant so much to her. She wanted to be with them, but the God she loved had other plans for her.She is survived by her husband, Dennis, her sister Christine and her husband John McMullen, and her loving dog Annie.A Memorial will be held on November 17, 2007 at 1:30 pm at Seabold United Methodist Church, 6894 NE Seabold Church Road, Bainbridge Island (map). A reception will follow at the Johnson residence. Memorials may be made in Bert's name to HOSPICE of Kitsap County, PO Box 3416, Silverdale, WA 98383 or to the Salvation Army. May she find peace in God's great love. She will be missed here, but her love remains in our hearts.Arrangements by Cook Family Funeral Home.