Janet Eleanor Duff Johnson

Janet was born on July 28th,1940 in Port Arthur, Ontario, Canada to the late Gertrude Harkness Duff and Gordon Alexander Duff, MD. During her childhood and teenage years, she enjoyed spending summers at the family cottage in Amethyst Bay on Lake Superior. Janet was also an excellent figure skater, a very talented pianist and dancer, and participated in many skating competitions and dance recitals. She shared many stories reflecting on times when her friends always counted on her to lead them on their next fun adventure. At age 14 the family moved to Florida. Janet enrolled in Ashley Hall in Charleston, South Carolina, graduated and then attended Florida State University at age 17 due to her keen intelligence and academic achievements.

After raising three children, she began her career in the Insurance industry and retired from Union Central Life Insurance company in Cincinnati, Ohio. Janet and husband Jerry were world travelers. They visited almost every continent, enjoying the different cultures and cuisines. We all delighted in hearing the many entertaining and adventurous stories of their travels.

Janet was a “spitfire’ with a zest for life, a little Southern Sass, a contagious laugh, fantastic sense of humor, and a masterful storyteller. She had an abundance of love for her family and was a friend to everyone that was lucky enough to meet her. Her many talents included being a gourmet cook and hosting many parties and celebrations for her family and friends. She had the special distinction of being the best “Grammy” in the world to her two grandsons and filled their lives with much love and happiness. The world will shine a little less bright, but we will all carry a little piece of Janet within us.

She is survived by her husband, Gerard “Jerry” Johnson, daughter Dawn Godwin Carver (Jay), Lisa Godwin Gleeson (Dan) and Kevin Godwin (Sharon). She also leaves behind her sister, Margot Thomson, nieces Janet Pepper (Larry), Patty Mondor (George), Cathy Cassels (Jimmy) and nephews Chris Duff Thomson (Anita), Jay Thomson (Debbie) and grandsons Liam and Camden Gleeson.

A special Thank You to Hospice and Palliative Care, Palmetto Region for providing care and support to Janet and her family.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to American Cancer Society or MD Anderson Cancer Center.

A visitation for Janet will be held Friday, March 24, 2023 from 1:00 PM to 1:45 PM at Mackey Funerals and Cremations at Woodlawn Memorial Park, 1 Pine Knoll Drive, Greenville, SC 29609.

A memorial service will occur Friday, March 24, 2023 from 2:00 PM Mackey Funerals and Cremations at Woodlawn Memorial Park Chapel, followed by a committal service at Woodlawn Memorial Park.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.mackeywoodlawn.com for the Johnson family.