Harpswell residents are mourning the sudden loss of an Orr’s Island woman whose spirit of quiet generosity benefited many corners of the community.
Friends and colleagues described Jean Appleby Johnson, 71, as a cheerful and brilliant champion of literacy, education and classical music. She was an avid churchgoer, former White House staffer and retired consultant who served as a board member or volunteer for multiple nonprofits.
Johnson died Wednesday, Jan. 14, after being struck by a vehicle on Route 24 north of the island’s fire station, according to the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office.
She had parked her SUV on the southbound shoulder and was outside the vehicle when she was struck and killed by a truck that veered off the road, the Sheriff’s Office said. The fatal crash is still under investigation.
Johnson’s work in the community spanned many organizations and causes. She was a current or past board member for multiple groups, including the Orr’s Island Library, Maine Maritime Museum and Salt Bay Chamberfest.
She also had served as a trustee of James Madison University, member of the Maine Women’s Giving Tree, and chair of the Defense Advisory Committee on Women in the Services.
Johnson was an active participant in two local religious organizations, All Saints Chapel and Islands Community Church, helping to organize and promote concerts at the latter. She also volunteered with the Mingo Club, a local social and literary society; the Harpswell Anchor; and the Harpswell Garden Club, among others.
Mingo Club Secretary Pam LeGrow said Johnson began volunteering for the group last fall. Founded in 1906, the Mingo Club supports the historic Bailey Island Library Hall and recently began offering scholarships to young women.
The club’s former president, Helen Kitchel, died in December. LeGrow said Johnson had attended a luncheon to honor Kitchel’s legacy immediately prior to her death.
“She was a joyful spirit,” LeGrow said about Johnson. “She was joyful and happy about everything she did. She was outgoing and just a really sweet, sweet soul.”
Classical champion
Orr’s Island resident Diana Morris said she first met Johnson when they became next-door neighbors. Originally from South Carolina, Johnson moved to Maine in 2006 after working in Washington, D.C., in government and later as a consultant to nonprofits.
The neighbors discovered that they shared a love of classical music. They both joined the board of Salt Bay Chamberfest, a nonprofit that produces chamber music concerts and supports musicians and composers in the Midcoast.
“I got to know her in a different way, and she really contributed so much to the organization,” said Morris, who is now president of the Chamberfest’s board. “She really had a great sense of how organizations work, and what (they) need to do to get stronger and be more effective.”
Wilhelmina Smith, the Chamberfest’s founder and executive director, said Johnson and her husband, Charlie, have been generous supporters and advocates for her organization and for chamber music in general.
“Jean has just been an amazing part of our organization in so many ways,” Smith said. “And beyond that, just the most delightful person … and someone I’ve so enjoyed working with over so many years.”
Smith said the Chamberfest plans to dedicate some of its concerts next summer to Johnson.
Janet Alexander, of Harpswell Neck, said Johnson had leveraged her formidable organizational and communication skills to help organize and promote free concerts for the community at Islands Community Church on Bailey Island.
“A few years ago, Jean had offered to be our contact with the press, giving information about upcoming concerts we were offering,” Alexander said. “She also was part of our team, and in that regard, she had very, very good ideas. She was a talented, gifted woman.”
‘Quiet, kind and sincere’
The Rev. Angie Arndt ministers at area churches, including Islands Community Church. She said Harpswell is experiencing collective grief after the recent deaths of several well-known community members. Arndt said there is no “right way” to process grief.
“We all have our journey with grief, and it’s very personal,” she said. “It’s so unique to you and, really, the only counsel is to make space for it.”
Arndt said the culture encourages people to “carry on” and “push through” their grief, but she believes that’s the wrong approach.
“I think the opposite is what we need to teach,” she said. “Just be with whatever is true for you, moment to moment, and let it take as long as it takes.”
Arndt said grief never fully goes away, and everyone carries a certain amount with them. She offered to help counsel anyone in the community who seeks help processing their grief, adding that she can be reached through the church.
“The only way to heal grief is to feel grief,” Arndt said.
Surrey Hardcastle, a member and volunteer at Islands Community Church, said Johnson was a steady and capable presence across the community and within the church.
“She was involved in many things at Islands Community Church,” Hardcastle said. “Two of my connections with Jean were as part of the knitting group, the Knit Wits, and as a vital member of the Outreach Team. Jean was brimming with ideas and always willing to lead or lend a hand as we carried out our mission. She will be deeply missed.”
Anne Wilkes, director and librarian at Orr’s Island Library, said Johnson was one of her most frequent visitors. “I know her from being an avid reader and a weekly patron of the library,” she said.
Although Johnson’s service on the library’s board predates Wilkes’ time as librarian, Wilkes said the two bonded over their shared love of books.
“She loved reading everything,” Wilkes said. “She was a wonderful, wonderful person. There was such a gentleness to her spirit.”
Janice Thompson, director of development and operations at the Harpswell Anchor, said Johnson was an active volunteer and supporter of the nonprofit newspaper’s work.
“Jean was an active Anchor ‘Kedger’ — the name of our volunteer group — and a generous donor, along with her husband, Charlie,” Thompson said. “She was quiet, kind and sincere, giving her time and energy selflessly. She embodied the spirit of community and giving that is so evident in Harpswell. I will miss her.”
