Carol J. Cofey (nee Johnson), 94, of Arlington,Virginia, formerly of Fairfax, died Wednesday, June 15, 2016, peacefully at her residence at Brookdale Arlington.
Born Feb. 18, 1922 in Moline, Illinois, Carol Louise Johnson grew up in Davenport, Iowa. She received a B.A. degree in speech from Augustana College, Rock Island, Illinois.and a M.A. degree in speech pathology from Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois.
Positions held during her professional career include speech therapist, East Aurora, Illinois schools (1941 - 1961), advertising specialist, Montgomery Ward Company, New York City (1961 - 1965), and speech and language pathologist, Falls Church Public Schools, Falls Church. (1965 - 1991).
During her teaching tenure in Falls Church she designed, organized and conducted programs for speech and language correction, sponsored the Forensics program, and taught English as a second language classes. She provided leadership to the school system as president of the Falls Church Education Association. She was president of the Speech-Language-Hearing Association of Virginia (SHAV), 1971-1972. During her term of office she spearheaded licensure in speech and hearing for the state of Virginia. She was also an active member of the national American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).
Carol had many interests and talents. She was a long-time, dedicated clarinet player for the City of Falls Church Concert Band. She was an accomplished equestrian, participating in the sport until the age of 89. She was also an accomplished swimmer, golfer and tennis player. She traveled extensively, giving slide presentations at various venues in Northern Virginia. After her retirement in 1991, she volunteered at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo, where she participated in numerous animal research studies.
She was preceded in death by her parents Ivar and Edith (Esping) Johnson and her brother Donald Esping Johnson. She is survived by a sister-in-law Edna M. Johnson, two nieces, Kirsten Ingrid Johnson and Lisa Gwen Fortin (Philip), one great nephew Christian Esping Fortin (Jill), and two great-great nieces Kaya Hazel and Mia Larue Fortin.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Emmanuel Lutheran Church, 2589 Chain Bridge Road, Vienna, VA 22181.