Rotary Remembers
Esther M. Johnson
Santa Monica resident Esther M. Johnson, first woman in the world to be admitted to membership in any Rotary Club, passed away over the weekend. Mrs. Johnson, widow of the late Coca Cola Bottling Co. of LA retired executive, Oliver Johnson, made history when Rotary International finally allowed women to join back in 1986, and she was immediately accepted by the Rotary Club of Santa Monica.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, March 30th, 2004 at 11:00am at First United Methodist Church, located at 1008 11th St. in Santa Monica. Parking is available in the structure across the street.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Rotary Club of Santa Monica Foundation or First United Methodist Church.
....Jack Siegal
Dee, June and the Rotary Club of Santa Monica,
It is with very deep sadness that I read your email about Esther. I became a Rotarian at the same time as Esther and visited with her many times over the years. She was a very special lady. What I enjoyed most was that she was so unaware of the significance of being the First Lady of Rotary IN THE WORLD! Although all of us in District 5280 were well aware of this tremendous honor it was just a few years ago that RI officially recognized Esther.
She struggled so during the last few years but will be greatly remembered for her many, many years of Service Above Self to the Rotary Club of Santa Monica and to District 5280.
I sincerely hope that in her memory Santa Monica will consider establishing a music scholarship program in the District as you have in your club. This ongoing legacy would continue to keep this gracious lady in the minds and hearts of the many Rotarians who knew and cared for Esther.
Please be sure to let us know when the services will be held.
In our thoughts and prayers, Carmela Raack