Fairfid Elizabeth Romeo Johnson

Fairfid Elizabeth Romeo Johnson of Laurel Park, died on July 30, 2013, at Four Seasons Elizabeth House following a lengthy illness.

Born in New York City on April 27, 1947, she was raised in Hendersonville, by her parents, Dr. and Mrs. Bruno J. Romeo. Dr. Romeo preceded his daughter in death.

She is survived by her mother, Evelyn Cordell Romeo of Hendersonville, her loving husband, Henry Johnson of Laurel Park; her precious daughter, Caroline Marie Livengood, and husband Chase, of Hendersonville; brother, Randy Romeo, and wife Ann of Hendersonville; and brother, Dr. Bruce Romeo, and wife Susan of Birmingham AL; and by many nieces and nephews and their spouses and children.

Fair attended Catholic schools throughout her education and graduated from Immaculata School in Hendersonville, Saint Genevieve of the Pines in Asheville (1964), and Saint Mary's College in Notre Dame, IN (1968). Her fondness for the Notre Dame community, particularly the football teams, was lifelong, and the calm of many a Saturday afternoon at home over the years was broken by her raucous cheering for her beloved Fighting Irish.

In addition to loved family members, Fair's passions in life were her gardens, her animals, and little children. She had a special place in her heart for any of God's children, human or animal, who had suffered abuse, neglect, or misfortune. When she met Henry, she was fostering six dogs for the local humane society and kept them at home with two of her own plus her three cats. Their family always had a host of animals, from parakeets to a horse, and her pets gave her added comfort to the end of her life.

After moving back to Hendersonville and settling in Laurel Park with Henry and Caroline in 1994, she became an active volunteer with the local Head Start School program, and in the last years before her retirement due to illness, she had become virtually a full-time substitute teacher with them. She adored her Head Start children and always agonized over ways she could make their lives better. She served on the board and as Chair of the Grants Committee of the Community Foundation of Henderson County and as a volunteer with the local American Red Cross chapter.

At her request, private family services will be held, with Four Seasons Chaplain Alan Taylor officiating. A celebration and reception for family and friends will be held at the Hendersonville Country Club  at 4 p.m. Friday, August 30.

Memorial donations may be made to Four Seasons Compassion for Life, 571 South Allen Road, Flat Rock NC 28731 (www.fourseasonscfl.org) or to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, Church Street Station, P.O. Box 780, New York, NY 10008-0780(www.michaeljfox.org).

An online register book is available for family and friends by visiting www.thosshepherd.com.

Thos. Shepherd & Son Funeral Directors and Cremation Memorial Center is in charge of arrangements.