Gail M. Johnson

Gail Meredith Johnson, 81, was born 3/23/1942 in Champaign Illinois. She passed into Eternal Life on October 27, 2023 at Georgetown University Hospital in Washington, DC. Her parents were Col. Arnold T. Johnson, USAF and Mrs. Muriel C. Angell Johnson. As a military “brat”, Gail lived in many states and in London, England. She graduated from Washington-Lee H.S. in Arlington, VA. She attended the University of Tennessee in Knoxville and studied at the University of Maryland. She graduated from Strayer Business College in Washington, D.C. As a Secretary / Stenographer, she soon found employment. Her long career included the following assignments: She worked for the Department of the Air Force Directorate of Plans & Arms Policy Branch. She worked at the Pentagon Federal Credit Union. She was a Stenographer in the Juvenile Court at the Arlington County Court House, and in the Department of Inspections Mechanical Division. She was secretary to the Chief Boiler Inspector. She worked for the Stanwick Corporation in Rosslyn. She worked for USDA Forest Service Administrative Services and in Forest environment Research, Forest Service Management and Forest Service Engineering (Geometronics). She worked for the USAF Europe/Nato Division Directorate of Plans & Operations. She worked for the Director of Planning Integration Directorate of Plans. She worked at HQ USAF / PR DCS / Programs & Resources in Washington, DC. She was Personal Secretary to the Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Programs and Resources in the Office of Secretary of Defense; Mr. Lewis I. Libby. Throughout Gail’s service, she received many awards for her Outstanding Performance and for her Superior Performance. She received a Certificate of Merit and a Joint Meritorious Unit Award for Exceptional Service. Gail also served twice at the United States Mission in Geneva, Switzerland. Gail sang in her church choir for many years and was a member of the Westover Baptist Church in Arlington. Gail loved all animals, especially cats and she had many of them in her lifetime. She loved them all and mourned for each one as they passed away. For many years Gail volunteered as caretaker’s assistant for the Animal Rescue League in Arlington, VA until ill-health prevented her from continuing. She also volunteered to work at the Arlington Free Clinic where she served as an interpreter to translate English to Spanish for the community of Spanish-only speakers. Gail was a cheerful person with a kind and loving heart. She had smiles and kind words for everyone she met. She enjoyed life and was always fun to be with. She was a very generous and genuine person, and had a happy, flamboyant, free spirit. She loved shopping for clothes and shoes and hats and loved bright colors. In retirement Gail enjoyed being home with her cats and visiting with friends and family. For ten years Gail moved back home to be a companion/caretaker to her mother. It was a difficult duty, but one that she felt she wanted and needed to do. She was a very loving daughter. She moved 6 years ago into Goodwin House, now called “Goodwin Living" in Falls Church, where she could enjoy a carefree retirement with all the services and amenities provided there. Gail is survived by her loving sister, Doris Goodlett, and loving brother-in-law, Warren Goodlett of Fairfax, VA and loving cousin, Judy Massey of Maurertown,VA. Gail will be sorely missed by her family and all her loving friends and especially by her best friend, Thomas Linehan. A Memorial Service will be held for her on Saturday, November 18th at 11:00 AM at Murphy Funeral Home at 4510 Wilson Blvd in Arlington, VA. There will be a light luncheon served after the service. Interment of her cremains will be private at a later date. In lieu of flowers, you may donate in memory of Gail Johnson to the Arlington Animal Rescue League.