Jean Elaine (Irwin) Johnson

Jean Elaine (Irwin) Johnson, the youngest of Rosa Welty and William Henry Irwin’s nine children, was born March 11, 1925, on a farm near Wilsey, Kan. She died Jan. 23, 2022, at the age of 96, in Madison, Wis.

Jean’s education began in a oneroom Kansas schoolhouse. She graduated from Wilsey Rural High School and went on to Kansas State University to achieve a B.S. in Home Economics and Nursing. She earned her M.S. in Nursing from Yale University and her Ph.D. in Social Psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

In the years between achieving her M.S. and Ph.D. degrees, Jean taught nursing at the Methodist Hospital, Sioux City, Iowa; Loretta Heights College, Denver, Colo.; and Presbyterian Hospital, Denver, Colo. Following her doctoral degree, she was a professor at Wayne State University, Detroit, Mich.

In 1979, Jean joined the faculty of the University of Rochester School of Nursing; she was Associate Director of Nursing Oncology at the University’s Center, and Clinical Chief of Oncology Nursing at Strong Memorial Hospital. Following her retirement in 1993, she continued to be active as a researcher and cancer reviewer for many years.

Jean devoted her nearly 50-year career to nursing practice, education, research, and advocacy for research and professional practice. She was a renowned nursing leader who contributed groundbreaking work on sharing information with patients to help them cope with illness. Drawing on her clinical experience and psychological theory and research, her findings revolutionized nursing’s patient education and transformed the standard of care. The impact of her work has been recognized by the American Academy of Nursing, which inducted her as a fellow and proclaimed her one of nursing’s “Living Legends.”

Among her many honors: Jean was elected to the National Academy of Medicine, received Fellow status in the American Association of the Advancement of Science and Academy of Behavioral Research, was the inaugural recipient of the Oncology Nursing Society’s Distinguished Researcher Award, received the Univer-sity of Rochester’s highest honor, the Dean’s Medal, was named One of Ninety Yale Nurses, and received an honorary Doctor of Science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She was recognized for her contributions by the American Psychological Association and numerous other nursing research organizations. She was the first nurse to join various national panels, such as the National Institutes of Health’s Behavioral Medicine Study Section, the U.S. Army Medical Research and Material Command’s Review Committee for the Breast Cancer Research Program, and the American Cancer Society’s Advisory Committee on Psychological and Behavioral Research.

Following retirement, Jean moved to Madison, Wis., and in recent years developed new interest and skill as a painter. Her retirement life was enriched by time spent with family members, the friendship of Fred Nagle, and warmth of feline companion, Louie. Family members will always treasure memories of Jean’s unique wit and lively additions to Irwin reunions.

Jean was preceded in death by her parents; all her brothers and their wives; her sisters and their spouses; two nieces; and two nephews. She is survived by nephews, Robert Schaaf, William (Patricia) Irwin, Tom (Dee) Irwin, Raymond Patrick Irwin, Raymond (Nancy) Irwin, Rex (Jane) Evans, Richard (Carol) Evans and Jim (Jackie) Irwin; niece, Johelen (Grant) Heiken; as well as many great and great-great-nieces and nephews.

A celebration of her life and interment of ashes is planned for a family reunion in Wilsey, Kans., at a later date.

Memorials in Jean’s name may be directed to the Jean E. Johnson Chair, School of Nursing, University of Rochester, 255 Crittenden Blvd., Rochester, NY, 14642. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.