By HDN Staff
DEBORAH JOHNSON
GILBERT, Ariz. Deborah Ann Johnson, 40, died at the home of her significant other in Gilbert on Monday, Jan. 15, 2001, of cancer.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday at the First Assembly of God Church in Helena with the Rev. Kenneth Ross officiating. Graveside services, with her ashes to be buried in the family plot with her grandparents, will be 11 a.m. Saturday at the Chester Cemetery.
Johnson was born to Leslie and Marilyn (Humes) Rockman at Shelby on April 11, 1960. Her early education was at the Eskay Country School near Big Sandy. She finished her education in Havre, graduating from Havre High School in 1978.
Johnson worked for I.T.F. in Great Falls as a shift foreman after graduating. In the late 1980s she moved to Helena and began working for JC Penney's in retail sales.
She married Len Johnson in 1993. Their relationship later ended.
She was diagnosed with cancer in 1997. She met Gary McCarthy, the son of some friends, while undergoing treatment. She moved to Gilbert to be with him in April 2000.
Johnson was a member of the First Assembly of God Church in Helena. She had many hobbies, including fishing, camping, hiking, aerobics, shopping, interior design and cooking. She enjoyed country music, playing darts, collecting antique cups and saucers, watching television and modeling clothes for in-store fashion shows at JC Penney's.
Johnson was preceded in death by her parents, step-mother Connie and brother David.
She is survived by Gary McCarthy of Gilbert; half-sister Bobbi Henderson of Great Falls; half-brother Chester Henderson of Nebraska; estranged husband Len Johnson of Helena; uncle Robert Hume of Big Sandy; several nephews, nieces and cousins.
Undesignated memorial gifts will be used to pay for Johnson's final expenses.
Arrangements are by Rockman Funeral Chapel of Chester.
