Jennifer Johnson

Jen was born in Lakewood, California on August 26, 1962 to Georgia Lee and Jimmie Ray Johnson. At a little over ten pounds upon arrival, her father affectionately called her “Moosie”, leading to her eventual adoption of the nickname Moose. Twelve years later the family became complete with the birth of Jen’s little sister, Jessica.

Jen’s first home was in Bellflower, California. In her early years, she also lived in Corona, Westminster, and Huntington Beach, California. In 1976, the Johnsons moved to what would be the family’s permanent home in Lake Forest, California. Growing up Jen loved to spend time with her grandparents and travel. She had an affinity for horses and spent all of the time she could riding and taking care of her horses, Daisy and then Shamrock; a love that she would later pass down to her youngest daughter, Spencer.

Jen attended El Toro High School where she graduated in 1980. She lettered in swimming, played powder puff football, and was involved in many clubs and activities. Jen was a popular student who made a point to be friends with everyone.

After high school, Jen attended Saddleback College in Mission Viejo, California where she continued to participate on the swim team and earned her Associates Degree. Her time in college led to her pursuit of a career in healthcare administration.

In her early adult life, Jen met and married Daniel Timothy Savino, and they welcomed daughter Sarah in 1987. The family moved to Point Marion, Pennsylvania a few years later, and welcomed another daughter, Spencer in 1992. During her time in Pennsylvania, Jen was very committed to her church and her community. Shortly after Spencer’s birth, Jen and Tim were divorced and Jen and her girls were welcomed back to California by her parents and sister.

Once back in California, Jen worked hard to balance her life as a professional woman and single mother, always making decisions that put her children first, including living with her parents while getting back on her feet. Jen would eventually meet her husband, David Austin Haynes while opening an imaging center that he was running. They began dating and eventually blended their two homes, which now included Jen and her daughters, and David and his children, Jennifer and Chris. David would become an amazing father to Sarah and Spencer, and unexpectedly, the world’s best caregiver to her during her many years of chronic illness. Jen and David were married on December 27, 2000, and made their home in Lake Forest, California.

Although Jen spent the majority of her later years fighting various illnesses, which led to disability, and multiple hospital stays, she NEVER gave up. She had a lust for life, a deep love for her children, and a vibrant sense of humor that carried her through many difficult days right up until the end. Jen was extremely intelligent, loyal, thoughtful, and sentimental. Family, whether by birth or by choice, meant everything to her. During these years, Jen developed a passion for learning about her family history and the importance of passing on legacy, doing extensive work with the Ancestry website. She also loved crafting and making cards, eventually selling items she made online (of course under the name “Moose” on her business cards). Jen loved antiques, and buying and selling on eBay. She loved flowers, being in her garden, and cooking delicious sentimental recipes for her family. When she was well enough, Jen volunteered at Mission Hospital and gave back to a place that took care of her numerous times. Jen enjoyed travel, nature, and road trips throughout her life, and some of her fondest memories included annual family fishing trips to Virginia Lakes in the High Sierra of California.

Jen is survived by her parents, Jimmie and Georgia Johnson; her husband, David Haynes; her children, Sarah Roberts, Spencer Montoya (Juan), Jennifer Barnett (Trevor), and Chris Haynes (Rebecca); her grandson, Charles; and her sister, Jessica Santoro (Jason). She is also survived by her faithful furry companions, Hendrix, Gotye, Belle, and Loki. Jen is predeceased by her foster daughter, Jacqwelyn (Jacque) Villagomez.

A celebration of life will be held on January 5, 2023 at 4:00PM at Village of Sendero, located at 11 Brioso Street in Rancho Mission Viejo, California. A private family burial will take place at El Toro Memorial Park in Lake Forest, California.