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COMMUNITY LOSS Beloved advocate dies unexpectedly in Caribbean Friends say Jolie Johnson was 'beacon of strength and light' Comment By John Darling for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By John Darling for the Mail Tribune Posted Feb. 11, 2015 at 5:22 PM Updated Feb 12, 2015 at 8:53 AM By John Darling for the Mail Tribune Posted Feb. 11, 2015 at 5:22 PM Updated Feb 12, 2015 at 8:53 AM » Social News Friends and family are remembering Jolie Johnson of Talent as a tireless and enthusiastic supporter of social and health causes in the Rogue Valley. Johnson, a broker with John L. Scott Real Estate, died this week while vacationing in Bonaire, a Caribbean island about 50 miles north of Venezuela. Her cause of death could not be immediately confirmed, but friends and community members on Facebook said it was in a scuba diving accident. “It’s truly shocking, beyond shocking,” said friend Michelle Wilson, development director of the Children’s Advocacy Center of Jackson County. “Jolie was so connected and supportive of agencies that worked for children. She was a strong advocate for anything that helped make the community stronger and people’s lives better. She spent countless hours doing that, as seen by the many testaments on Facebook, shocked and grieving today.” Johnson was a longtime broker with her spouse, Kathy Bauer. The two were legally married in Hawaii in 2014, just before same-sex marriage was legalized in Oregon. Johnson was on the development committee of the Children’s Advocacy Center and helped with much of the fundraising, said Wilson. Johnson joined Wilson on the planning committee of the annual Women’s Leadership Council. Johnson had been on the board of La Clinica since 2007 and served as president. She was a founding member of the WiLL Council (Women Living Leadership) of United Way, helping women and girls in transition and working against abuse. “On a personal level, I can’t imagine this community without Jolie,” said Wilson. “She was one of the most positive people I’ve ever known. She had a light that is not extinguishable. In anyone’s life around her, she saw only what was positive. She was a beacon of strength and light, filled with gratitude for all that was good.” Jennifer Mylenek of Jackson County Court-Appointed Special Advocates said Johnson was supportive of everyone she met. "Anytime you saw Jolie, you were happy to see her," Mylenek said. "I’m so devastated.” Gina DuQuenne, president of Southern Oregon Pride, said, “She was amazing, a beacon of light, always contributing to our community, helping the underdog. For me, being a woman of color, she really embraced me and was always someone you could go to and talk about business and personal things, always had something uplifting to say. "All our prayers and love go out to Kathy and we will be here as a community to hold Kathy up. Jolie was a fearless woman and did everything she wanted to do in life, never let anything hold her back. She had great passion and zest for life. She died doing something she loved most and with someone she loved most.” Johnson was on the Community Ministry Board of Providence Medford Medical Center from 2000 to 2010 and was a member of the executive committee, as well as an active supporter of its Community Health Foundation, said Providence spokeswoman Hillary Brown. “She was a beloved member of our community who truly cared about everyone, especially the poor and vulnerable, and a huge supporter of philanthropy in our community," Brown said. "She was a woman of amazing energy.” A John L. Scott Facebook posting said, “Our friend and colleague ... was an anchor within (our) family ... who tirelessly worked to make the world a better place. ... She was such a dynamic woman, mentor, and friend to so many.” Reach Ashland freelance writer John Darling at [email protected]. By John Darling for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By John Darling for the Mail Tribune Posted Feb. 11, 2015 at 5:22 PM Updated Feb 12, 2015 at 8:53 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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