Janice Jo Laudano Johnson's Obituary
Janice Jo Laudano Johnson, age 75, passed away on June 22, 2024 in Pearland, Texas after a brief, valiant battle with acute myeloid leukemia. A lifelong teacher, performer, and caring soul, she will be missed by all who knew her.
Born on July 25, 1948 to Joe and “Tillie” Laudano in Galveston, Texas, “Little Bit” was the second of three children. Janice grew up having fun with her many friends, her older sister Pamela, her younger brother Joe, and her cousins Darnell and Sheila Kern, who often put on shows and plays for their parents. In grade school at St. Mary’s Cathedral, she was a good student, outgoing, active in Girl Scouts, an instant success with boxing gloves (ask her brother), and talented in dance until a foot injury. During her years at Dominican High School, Janice participated in a variety of activities, including the Future Teachers Club, basketball, and talent shows before graduating in 1966. She attended St. Edward’s University in Austin, Texas, where she performed in “Campus Capers” and was the stage manager of the original play The Death and Trial of Pope Formosus. She was named to Who’s Who Among Students in American Colleges and Universities and graduated in 1970 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Humanities. She met her husband Fred while at St. Ed’s; they married and moved to Corpus Christi, Texas where they raised two children, Cynthia and Chris, of whom she was incredibly proud.
Janice dedicated her life to child education in Catholic schools, with an emphasis on teaching as many kids as possible to diagram a sentence. She taught at the elementary level at Corpus Christi Cathedral School for a few years, then taught English and Speech to middle school students at Incarnate Word Academy in Corpus Christi, Texas for over 30 years. She was a constant presence in the IWA community, supporting countless events and fundraisers, volunteering in the office, and coaching and taking students to speech tournaments. She was held in high regard by the school principal, the head of the Academy, and her students. After retiring from teaching, Janice and Fred moved to Pearland, Texas in 2022 – it was the only way she could stop substitute teaching, as they lived directly across the street from the school. Although she never finished the children’s book she had in her head – “Miss Britannica” – Janice spent much of her time in retirement in heartfelt companionship with Fred, completing difficult crossword puzzles, competing against the TV contestants on Jeopardy, and silently correcting other people’s grammar. Selfless and deeply caring, she was quick to send a card or text to relatives and friends on their birthdays and other special days, or if there was a weather alert in their area.
Janice is survived by her husband James Frederick Johnson, her brother Joe Laudano, her sister Pamela Kraus, her children Cynthia Johnson Schaal and J. Chris Johnson, grandchildren Atticus and David Johnson and Audrey and James Schaal, and several cousins, nieces, and grandnieces and a grandnephew. She is preceded in death by her father Joe Laudano and her mother Matilda Radovich Laudano.
A celebration of her life and birthday will be held in her hometown of Galveston, Texas the weekend of July 27, 2024.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Incarnate Word Academy in Corpus Christi, Texas in Janice’s name and memory.
What’s your fondest memory of Janice?
What’s a lesson you learned from Janice?
Share a story where Janice's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Janice you’ll never forget.
How did Janice make you smile?