Kay Johnson

Kay Ellen Johnson, 84 passed away February 24, 2022, in Glen Cove, NY of natural causes surrounded by family. Kay was born December 3, 1937, in New York City to Pearl and Jay Fieldman and lived there till seven years old and after brief stays in Chicago and Key West, FL she, her father, stepmother Pauline, and three brothers settled in Tucson, Arizona where she would live until she left for California at age 18. She met and married CPO William Johnson on June 22, 1958. They were married 49 years until Bill’s passing in 2007. Kay, as a Navy wife, lived in California, Virginia, Paris, France and Stuttgart, Germany. After Bill’s retirement in 1969 they moved to Beloit, Wisconsin to be near family. Her post Navy life began a career of acting, directing, and writing community theater, while professionally writing across the advertising industry in Rockford, Illinois which included hosting a TV show for women. In 1975 Kay would give birth to their son Daniel. In 1976 Kay took a job as copy writer with the William Cook Agency in Jacksonville, Florida which would begin the most prolific work of her career. Kay was often considered one of the best industry writers in the South for her work on campaigns such as Winn Dixie, First Union, and her most recognized accomplishment: Florida’s First Coast. Launched in 1983 Kay wrote the First Coast anthem and with her team developed a lasting legacy. During the 1990’s and 2000’s Kay wrote and produced several videos and short documentaries such as the “27th Star” for the State of Florida. Other clients were the St. Augustine Diocese and American Cancer Society. After 34 years in Florida, she moved to Long Island, NY in 2010 to be close to her new grandson and later granddaughter. Kay is survived by her son Daniel, daughter-in-law Laura, grandchildren Dominic and Cecilia, brother Ray, sister-in-law Mary, numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews and great great niece Julianna. We celebrate her reuniting with her love, Bill, her wonderful mother Pauline whom she adored, brothers Dan and Paul.