Genevieve Vivian Johnson
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Genevieve Vivian Johnson, loving mother of Philip Ripley and beloved daughter of Ruth and Rob Johnson, passed away on December 16, 2022 after a two-year battle with cancer. She was born April 5, 1982 at Swedish Hospital in Seattle and grew up in Mount Vernon. She attended Centennial Elementary, LaVenture Middle School, Mount Vernon High School, and graduated from Independence High School in 2001.
Genevieve worked several jobs in Seattle over the years, including Pike Place Market and the Space Needle. In 2011 she married Philip Ripley. Later that year they welcomed their son, Philip Carl Ripley, to the world and lived in Everett, WA. In 2014, when the marriage ended, Genevieve and her son Philip moved to Stanwood, WA where they have resided with her parents. In 2020 Genevieve was diagnosed with cancer caused by the HPV virus. After two surgeries along with chemotherapy and radiation, she was accepted into a clinical trial at Providence Portland Medical Center for a vaccine for head and neck cancer. Providence Portland credited her with providing valuable scientific information towards developing a cure, although a reaction to the medicine required her to cease further treatments.
Genevieve was totally devoted to her son Philip. They went to Disneyland and Legoland, and built Legos together at every chance. Halloween saw Philip and Genevieve trick or treating in custom built costumes made by her mother, Ruth. During the Covid lockdowns Genevieve helped Philip with his distance learning, and she was a loving mother to Philip right up to her last day.
Genevieve was preceded in death by her brother, Andrew Carl Johnson and her paternal grandparents, Genevieve and Hubert Johnson of Fir Island as well as her maternal grandparents, Roberta and Eleazar Correa of Los Angeles. She is survived by her son Philip, 11, of Stanwood, her brother, Lars Johnson (and his spouse, Ali) of Everett, her parents, Ruth and Rob Johnson of Stanwood, her Great-Aunt Juanita Gilfry of Mount Vernon and her Great-Aunt Doreen Herren of Fort Smith, Arkansas. She is also survived by numerous cousins and extended family throughout Washington state and elsewhere.
The family would like to give special thanks to Gen's brother Lars Johnson and his wife, Ali, for the special personal care they extended to Genevieve over the last few months. They also acknowledge Dr. Kelley Paulson and her staff at the Swedish Edmonds Cancer Institute for their excellent care. Thanks also go to Dr. Rom Leidner and Dr. Bernard Fox of the Providence Portland Medical Center, and to Dr. Joseph Goldman of Swedish Hospital, whose surgical skill gave Genevieve another year of life. Many thanks to the therapists and caregivers from Providence Home Care of Everett, Snohomish Hospice and Visiting Angels, and to Rachel Townsend and Monica McDaniel from the Stanwood-Camano School District for the help they extended to Genevieve in educating Philip.
The family will always miss their sweet Genevieve. Rob and Ruth dedicate themselves to providing the love and support to her son, Philip, which she is no longer able to give. That love and support to Philip shall continue for the rest of their days.
Genevieve's funeral will be held at the Fir-Conway Lutheran Church on January 14, 2023 at 1:00 pm. Immediately following the service, a reception will be held at Max Dale's Restaurant in Mount Vernon until 4:30 pm. The family looks forward to sharing love and support from all who are able to attend. The family also thanks Kern Funeral Home for their service and compassion in helping with funeral arrangements. The service will also be livestreamed at: www.firconwaylutheran.org.
You may offer your condolences and share memories of Genevieve with her family online at www.kernfuneralhome.com