Ellen Jester Johnson

She was devoted to her husband of 37 years Dr. Ronald Swartz, who mourns the loss of the love of his life, his greatest partner, “sparring” and otherwise, and dearest friend.

Ellen’s sister Margaret Johnson of Washington, DC, lovingly nursed her through treatments and surgeries and was here again to ensure her big sister’s safe and final passage.

A native of Fort Worth, Ellen was a longtime resident of New Orleans. She was a devotee and patron of the local visual and performing arts. Ellen’s and Ronnie’s mid-century home became a magnificent canvas for Ellen’s flair for décor and their passion for modern art.

Beginning at the Contemporary Arts Center, she became one of the city’s finest publicists whose dedication and hard work brought national recognition to the Tennessee Williams/New Orleans Literary Festival and the New Orleans Film Festival. She served on the boards of the CAC and the New Orleans Film Society where she was also president. Ellen believed sitting in a dark theater watching a good movie was a potion that could cure almost anything.

In her final days, she told her husband Ronnie she had no regrets. “I have done it all,” she said. He shared that he was so glad they had not waited to live their dreams.

Ellen and Ronnie traveled the country and the world. They journeyed coast to coast in Ronnie’s vintage car. They ventured as far north as Iceland and as far south as Patagonia. Together they scaled the heights of Mts. Rainier and Kilimanjaro.

Her tall, lean physique may have fooled some, but her fierce determination and strong will made Ellen a powerful athlete – a swimmer, a hiker, even a mountain climber. There was nothing she could not do, once she made up her mind.

Ellen had an inimitable sense of fashion and style; she made an art of assembling and wearing sculptural clothing and jewelry but she was equally comfortable in her hiking gear. Decades ago she worked as a personal shopper at Maison Blanche, where her customers hoped just a shred of that “special something” she had might rub off on them.

She is preceded in death by her parents Betty and Clay Johnson of Ft. Worth. In addition to her husband Dr. Swartz, she is survived by her sisters Elizabeth Johnson of Ft. Worth, and Margaret Johnson (Ray Ottenberg) of Washington, DC, her brother Clay Johnson (Anne) of Austin, her brother in-law Larry Swartz (Cindy) of Houston, nieces Alice Johnson and Kate Ottenberg and nephews Robert Johnson (Emily), Weldon Johnson (Catherine), Mel Ottenberg, and Lance Swartz and her Weimaraner Stella 2, who was like her child.

The family would like to thank her physicians Pui “Joan” Cheng, John Bolton, Ellen Zakris, Scott Sonnier, and Salvador Caputto, the nurses in the Touro Infusion Center especially Erin Kehl, and all the staff at Touro Infirmary LCMC Health.

A memorial celebration will be held at a later date. At this time, please consider a donation to Touro Infirmary Foundation or a local arts or animal organization of your choice. The family invites you to share fond memories and condolences online at www.lakelawnmetairie.com