Susan Jacobs Johnson

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I am going to claim the last word, at least insofar as this is the last word. I was born in California to Lyle and Lillian Jacobs which meant I grew up in a family with parents who loved one another and who loved me. I never thought I wanted to marry, but that would have been wrong because marriage to Warren C. (Bud) Johnson was so right. Our age difference may have raised some eyebrows, though most likely not for long, and happily appeared not to distress Bud’s children who folded me into the family and into their marital families seemingly without hesitation. I was an only child who probably rightfully never claimed to have any parenting skills, now survived by Bud’s children, Warren W. (Louise) Johnson, Cindy (Mike) Suplick, Lauri (David Roberson) Johnson, and Genevieve (Mike Kinnee) Johnson, 6 grandchildren, and 6 great-grandchildren.

My career was not linear but each part somehow related to the others. I taught at the U. of Connecticut where I discovered that (lack of) constitutional protections for women was more interesting than social psychology, so I went to law school and was a trial lawyer for a long time. That was professionally rewarding, but it was more rewarding personally to return to academe when Johnson retired, and I spent the remainder of my career with the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice at UNO.

I enjoyed opportunities to serve on the boards of a variety of non-profit organizations, each designed to advance the common good. But more important, I enjoyed the gift of good friends, some new, some old in every sense of that word. That was great good fortune because it was fun, because it was genuine, because conversations with these folks were filled with insight and good advice that might be followed or not but was always to be taken seriously. Much of that is memorable to be shared but you are spared that. With one exception: Lillian did not have much formal education but she had uncommonly good sense and she distinguished between being by onself and being alone; she observed she felt sorry for folks who do not enjoy being by themselves.

I loved golf and especially loved the Golf Team, but I was a miserable golfer. The only good things to say in that regard are these: I was no worse when I was old than I had been 30 years earlier; I played quickly, never lost my temper, and didn’t cheat; and I applied some of golf’s lessons to life generally, most notably: Don’t follow a bad shot with a stupid one.

If you have time and if you’re interested, read a favored e.e. cummings poem. It reminded me of my friends: “because you take life in your stride.”

If inclined, I suggest memorials to The Compassionate Way, a non-profit that extends compassion to a variety of disadvantaged people and reflects the vision and energy of a good friend, Rev. Dr. Candace Adams. Please make gifts by check out to Lakes Area Presbyterian Church, indicate that the gift is for The Compassionate Way, and mail to Rev. Dr. Candace Adams, 14978 John L. Dr., Little Falls, MN 56345. On-line giving is available at lpchurchbaxter.org.

A celebratory gathering of Susan’s friends and family will take place on Friday, October 11, 2024 from 4:00 to 7:30 p.m. at Pilgrim Hall, First Plymouth Church, 2000 D Street, Lincoln, NE.

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Services

October11

Celebratory Gathering

4:00 pm-7:30 pm CST

Pilgrim Hall, First Plymouth Church

2000 D Street, Lincoln, NE

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Share a Memory or Condolence

September 25, 2024

Susan, thanks so much for leaving us all with one beautifully composed restatement of your life. I wouldn’t have expected anything less. It was my great pleasure to meet and come to know you as a friend and to be one of your law partners in the early days. As in everything else, you always set a high bar in our law office. You were always good natured, concise, factual, circumspect yet warm, serious, exacting, complex, sublime, sensitive, giving, and compassionate. However, as it turned out, academia was your true calling. It was the ideal place where a high value mentor like you could cast a wide net for your mentees. Much like at our firm, so many years ago, I know that you left deep and lasting impressions with your many students over the years. It is hard for me to imagine a world where you won’t “just happen” to walk around the corner, or suddenly appear at some class room, or law school function with your signature smile ready to chat about some current event. My memories of you doing just those things so very many times will never leave. It was a pleasure to come to know and work with you. Rest in peace, Susan.

– Ray Atwood

September 25, 2024

She was my professor and advisor in the undergraduate criminal justice program and also very encouraging in my path to law school. She was a fiery, knowledgable woman! I was lucky to have learned from and known her, however briefly.

– Michael Palmer

September 25, 2024

Susan was a generous soul. She went out of her way to welcome new faculty to campus. While from different departments, Susan made sure we fit in. Breakfast lunches with her were a great gift. As were times spent with her wonderful creatures – Oliver and then Latte. Her sense of humor was extraordinary and her passion for justice inspiring. We are all better people for having known Susan.

– Julie Masters

September 24, 2024

While I did not know Susan directly, I was fortunate to serve as the Director of the UNO School of Criminology and Criminal Justice for many years where her legacy lived on. We appreciate all of her dedication to generations of students who are now successful in their lives because of her dedication. Our thoughts are with her family and friends.

– Gaylene Armstrong

September 23, 2024

Susan is a reason that I stayed in law school. One day during my first year I felt ultra stressed and was considering quitting. Walking on my way to the parking lot, I crossed paths with Susan. She asked how I was doing and I burst into tears. She stopped heading wherever she was going and took my hand, literally and figuratively. She followed me home, then came in and listened/talked to me. Her guidance and compassion got me through that difficult day.

– Pat Williams

September 23, 2024

I had zero interest in law school until taking Susan’s Criminal Law and Criminal Procedure classes as a Criminal Justice major. She gave me close to the worst grades I got in college ;), but I loved her and her classes. Outside of class she provided me with information regarding ongoing litigation regarding the women’s prison in York which fascinated me and sparked my interest in law school and civil rights law. I’m so sad to hear of her passing and wish her family memories as good as those I have.

– Jeanette Stull

September 23, 2024

I am so sorry about my beloved professor’s passing. I was a criminal justice major at UNL. It is solely because of her that I went to law school. She thought that I was setting my goals too low and told me to go take the LSAT. I was reminded of her brilliant mind and lovely personality after reading her obituary.

– Kimberli Dawson

September 23, 2024

Susan was one of my most favorite criminal justice professors at UNO/UNL. She was brilliant, warm, witty, no-nonsense, and incredibly personable. She loved to teach, and we loved to learn from her. I was then lucky enough to join Cline Williams Wright Johnson & Oldfather, where Bud and Susan will always be held in high regard. Susan left a lasting impression on my life, and I will always be grateful to have learned from her. My deepest sympathies and prayers to Susan’s family during this difficult time. She will be dearly missed.