Sacred Heart Comet Continues to Inspire

Sacred Heart High School’s oldest graduate (1943) and former Student Body President, Lois
McVey Johnson, celebrates 99 years of vigor, Catholic fervor/devotion, and an effervescent,
positive attitude with her #2 son, Tim (“Coach”). A 1 st Gen student, Lois commuted daily from
Eagle Rock via a 1-mile walk, a street trolley, and a bus (“It was soo worth it”).

Lois dated Cathedral boys but met a Loyola High/Loyola U man and was married her senior year
at Immaculate Heart College. Once again, a Student Body President, Lois finished college and
raised 10 children (8 boys!) while her husband, Chuck Johnson, was the Sport’s Editor for the
Catholic Newspaper, The Tidings, for 45 years. With Lois & Chuck’s example, all 10 children
graduated from Catholic elementary, high schools, and colleges, as have her 30 grandchildren
and 6 great Grands, so far….

With her deep, committed Catholic faith, Lois was an enthusiastic volunteer for her parish, faith
formation, the Right-to-Life organization, and Catholic education. In her honor, her son has
volunteered to remotely assist students at her alma mater in their college admissions and
financial aid pursuits, work he has been dedicated to for the last 13 years in the Diocese of San
Jose.

First Generation Lois has been Blessed, and the Blessings started when she was ‘launched’ at
Sacred Heart. With a ready, warm smile, Lois recounts her classmates making cookies to send to
her US Army brothers and bunkmates in Germany during WWII. She credits her Drama teacher
for making her feel more “OK.” Many lifelong friends were established at Sacred Heart. Lois
remains the oldest Sacred Heart graduate, but she gets teary-eyed as she remembers where it all
started. Go Comets!