Polly Bray Johnson

Polly Bray Johnson, 47, of Bend, OR, passed away peacefully at her home on October 12, 2011, with family by her side, after a courageous year long battle with brain cancer. Polly was born in Yreka, CA on December 23, 1963, to Patricia and Eugene Bray and was raised in Montague, CA. She graduated from Yreka High School in 1982 and attended Merritt Davis Business School. On November 5, 1988, she married Philip M. Johnson who had two young daughters Anne-Blyth and Amanda. After business school, Polly moved to Portland and then Medford, OR where she worked and lived for several years. Then she entered the emerging cellular phone industry in the early 90’s and built an impressive 15-year career. Her tenacious drive, exemplary work ethic and natural leadership qualities won the respect of her coworkers and eventually advanced her into the Director of Operations at Edge Wireless in Bend, OR. Polly was a loving wife, caring mother and grandmother, amazing friend and mentor. She was also a very talented and creative knitter and seamstress who developed, displayed, and sold many of her one-of-a-kind beautiful fashion pieces. She lived a life of grace and was a devout Catholic. In life and death, Polly’s amazing qualities, including her unparalleled generosity and strength of character, touched the lives of many others and was best exemplified by the overwhelming love and support of her friends and family in the last days of her life. Her father, Eugene Willis Bray, preceded Polly in death. She is survived by husband, Philip M. Johnson; two daughters, Anne-Blyth (Daryl) Osbahr, Amanda (Anthony) Bruneau; three grandchildren, Blake, Adelyn and Amelie; mother, Patricia Riffel Bray; four brothers, Gene (Tone) Bray, James (Paula) Bray, Jeffrey (Toni) Bray, Philip (Lori) Bray; and one sister, Ellen (James) Naumes. A viewing will be held at Girdner Funeral Home located at 202 South Oregon Street on Sunday, October 16, 2011, 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm, followed by the Rosary at 7:00 pm in the chapel. A Memorial Mass will be held on Monday, October 17, 2011, at St. Joseph Catholic Church at 314 4th Street in Yreka, CA at 10:00 am. Internment will take place at Henley-Hornbrook Cemetery in Hornbrook, CA following Mass. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages all donations to be sent to Partners in Care-Hospice Chapter of Bend, 2075 NE Wyatt Ct., Bend, OR 97701 or to www.giveforward.com/pollybrayjohnson for Polly’s medical fund.

Polly Bray Johnson

December 23, 1963 - October 12, 2011