Obituary of Gayle Johnson

Gayle C. Johnson, 94, of Orchard Grove, 3591 Woodhaven Dr, W.E., passed away unexpectedly at 6:13 p.m. Saturday, February 27, 2016, in the emergency room of W.C.A. Hospital. An area resident for most of her life, she was born October 26, 1921 in Harvey, IL, the daughter of the late Earl O. and Mabel Lyster Choate. She was a graduate of Oberlin College in Ohio, where she spent a year at the Oberlin Conservatory of music studying oboe before transferring to the college as a phys-ed major. Moving to Jamestown in 1954, she continued her avocation as an accomplished artist. She began painting at the Chautauqua Art Center with the Syracuse University's summer art program. She first concentrated on oil painting, then acrylics, and finally watercolors. Gayle participated in countless regional shows and some national juried exhibitions over the last 60 years, and had been represented by various galleries and private collections. In the 1970's, she taught art history and painting at Jamestown Community College and maintained a home art studio teaching private art lessons for many years. She was also a past President of the Chautauqua Art Association. She was still painting at her residence until the very day of her death. Over the last couple years Gayle was gracious enough to donate many of her art works to the Heritage Village Campus for the resident's to enjoy for many years to come. In earlier years she was a member of the First Presbyterian Church and the American Association of University Women. Surviving are two daughters, Leslie (Gary) Johnson of Bemus Point, NY, Sandra Wettingfeld of Bridgeport, NY, eight grandchildren, Christopher (Tessa) Johnson of Bemus Point, Marla (Christian) Schechs of Philadelphia, PA, Jane Johnson, Robin (Brian) Kiendl both of Jamestown, Tye (Kimberly) Zdrojewsk of Clay, NY, Lindsy and Gage Gottermeyer both of CA. Kristen Scotty of FL, and two step-daughters, Cheryl Scotty of Jamestown, Linda Gottermeyer of Castro Valley, CA. Besides her parents she was preceded in death by her husband Paul R.S. Johnson whom she married October 30, 1965 and who died March 4, 2003. The funeral will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday in the Chapel of Sunset Hill Cemetery. The Rev. Gerald A. Haglund will officiate. Visitation will not be observed. Memorials may be made to the Roger Tory Peterson Institute, 311 Curtis St. Jamestown, NY 14701 or to the Chautauqua County Humane Society, 2825 Strunk Rd. Jamestown, NY 14701.