Obituaries

Johanna Elizabeth Glenn Gillenwater

Photo of Johanna Elizabeth Glenn Gillenwater
Johanna Elizabeth Glenn Gillenwater passed away on the sixth day of October, 2017 at the age of 55. She grew up in Little Rock, the daughter of Dr. Wayne B. Glenn and Mary Ann Templeton Glenn, both deceased. Johanna leaves behind her husband of 25 years, J. Price Gillenwater, II and two beloved children whom she adored, John P. Gillenwater, III and Georgia Glenn Gillenwater; her older sister, Melissa Templeton Glenn of Oregon and her younger sister, Leah Ann Glenn and her husband, Lance Mattson of Arizona. She loved Melissa's three daughters, Hannah, Leah and Eliza Bodenhamer and Leah's daughter, Elena Mattson and her only nephew, Adam Mattson. Johanna swam competitively for the YWCA and excelled in the butterfly, setting a state record as a girl. She continued to swim throughout her lifetime. She attended public schools for primary and secondary education and was graduated from Little Rock Central High (a third generation Tiger). Johanna's undergraduate education included one year at the U of A Fayetteville and three years at Rhodes College Memphis, where she completed the requirements for a B.A. in Foreign Languages (Spanish and French). She continued her studies at the graduate level, obtaining an M.S. in Communicative Disorders from UALR/UAMSC in 1991 and her Doctorate in Audiology from the U of Florida Gainesville (2013-2014). Johanna completed her requirements for her doctorate online while battling Stage 4 Lung Cancer. She arranged her surgeries and chemotherapy treatments to avoid conflicts with her AuD course tests and presentations. She told no one at the University of Florida of her burdens and completed her Doctorate right on schedule. She traveled extensively during her lifetime, studying Spanish in Madrid during a semester abroad while in college and after graduation she returned to Madrid to teach English. She traveled throughout Europe, made multiple trips to Costa Rica, Mexico and the Caribbean with her family. While her husband was on active duty as a pilot in the US Navy, she lived in four states. In 2003, Johanna was thrilled to return home to Little Rock to raise her children near their grandparents. Johanna made her final adventure on a trip to Italy with her children in August 2017. Professionally, Johanna practiced audiology at the Russellville ENT Clinic, followed by the ENT Northwest Clinic in Washington State and finally Arkansas Children's Hospital until her death. She saw four patients in one morning only a week before she died. She saw many Hispanic patients and loved her work as a bilingual pediatric audiologist. She was a superb Audiologist and cared so deeply about all her patients. She was loving and passionate in helping those in need. Her Spanish speaking patients were so appreciative of her extraordinary efforts to calm them and guide them through a very intimidating environment. She also taught Spanish for a number of years at Pulaski Heights Elementary School and the Child Enrichment Center. A longtime member of Second Presbyterian Church, Johanna volunteered with the Children's Choir, Sunday School and Vacation Bible School. Johana's Christian faith was unwavering throughout her lifetime and helped her through so many rough times in the recent past. She also loved her time as a Cub Scout leader and led a Girl Scout troop for five years. She loved needlepointing and trips to the lake house with her family. Johanna loved nature and being outdoors, creating beautiful gardens in various states in which she lived. Johanna especially loved her walks with her beloved Weimaraner, Velvet. Johanna was a courageous woman whose loving spirit lives on in all the people she knew. She gave so much of herself in helping others and her wonderful sense of humor and positive outlook on life were infectious. A memorial service will be held at Second Presbyterian Church in Little Rock, Arkansas on Thursday, October 12, 2017 at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers the family request that memorials be made to Heifer International. Special thanks go to Dr. Joe Beck and his team of nurses and office staff who loved Johanna through her almost five year battle with cancer. Arrangements by Ruebel Funeral Home, www.ruebelfuneralhome.com.

Published October 10, 2017

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