Last month, we posted the notice of the passing of Sue Johnson retired Vice Chancellor of Business and Administrative Services. Today, through Dr. Robin Calote, retired President of Ventura College, we received Sue’s obituary written by Sue’s husband, Clyde Johnson. Please note the name and address where memorial gifts may be sent.
Sue Filion Johnson
April 29, 1950- April 1, 2020
Susan Filion Johnson passed away on April 1, 2020, after a yearlong battle with an aggressive cancer. She was born in Rochester N.H. on April 29, 1950 to Marlene and Gerard Filion, and was the eldest sibling to her brothers, Glen and Kevin. Sue grew up in Newmarket but spent her last two years of high school on Guam, where her father had accepted a civil service job. Upon returning to Newmarket, she attended McIntosh Business College, where she obtained her associate degree in business and met Clyde Johnson, who became her husband of 50 years. Upon graduating, she worked at the University of New Hampshire while Clyde finished his degree, and they had their daughter, Andrea. A job opportunity brought them to California, where she would spend the remainder of her life. She built an impressive career, working in accounting at Cal State Northridge, as controller for Volunteers of America, and in the business offices of Cal State LA and the city of Thousand Oaks. While working full time, she managed to finish both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees, while also teaching part-time at the community college level. She worked for 20 years for the Ventura County Community College District, retiring in 2013 as the Vice Chancellor of Business and Administrative Services. Sue’s fiscal expertise, work ethic, and commitment to the educational community earned her the respect of professional colleagues at both the state and local levels, and she developed meaningful friendships that reached far beyond work. Sue loved to travel and made many trips around the country and overseas. She loved the beauty of America’s National Parks, especially Yosemite, where she and Clyde purchased a vacation home a few years ago. Sue is survived by her loving husband Clyde Johnson, treasured daughter Andrea Cervantes and son-in-law Luis Cervantes, and six grandchildren whom she adored: Jeremy, Jacob, Joshua, Julia, Jonah and Jocelyn. She is also survived by her brothers Glen and Kevin Filion and their families. Plans for a celebration of Sue’s life have been delayed due to the ongoing public health crisis and will be announced at a future date.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial gift to support research under the direction of Dr. Alexander Black at the UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center. Donations may be directed to the:
Jonsson Cancer Center Foundation,
Attn: Diana Howard;
8- 950 Factor Bldg,
Box 951780,
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1780
(310) 206-0675
OR
www.cancer.ucla.edu/donate
Please note that your gift is in memory of Susan Johnson.
