Sally Jo Johnson passed away peacefully on April 20, 2026, at the age of 91, surrounded by her family. She is lovingly remembered by her children, Scott Young and Luann Hanley; her grandchildren, Kathryn Hanley (Brooks) Beanland and Charles Hanley; her sister, Suzanne (Roger) Kinney, along with their children, Nancy (Pete) Holst, Doug Kinney, and Linda (Pete) Hantman; and her sister-in-law, Georgiana Young, and her children, James (Shelley) Young and Kathryn (Rick) Dunay.

Sally was the firstborn child of Dr. Jesse and Olive Peabody, born on November 20, 1934, in Denver, Colorado. She graduated from the University of Denver with a degree in fine arts. Shortly after graduating, she married Jack Young, the father of Scott and Luann, who preceded her in death. The family moved to Chicago, where Sally began working at Marshall Field’s and rose to become the company’s first female division manager.

In 1973, Sally returned to Denver and continued her design career at Howard Lorton Galleries. She married Robert Johnson in 1976 and went on to build Connoisseur Collections, a handmade rug company, opening its first showroom in Denver, CO. Later, the couple followed family and relocated to Washington, DC, where Connoisseur Collections moved to the Washington Design Center. Their distinctive rugs can be found in homes across the United States and Europe, with several pieces displayed in prominent government buildings. After Connoisseur Collections concluded its 25-year run, Sally launched a successful career in real estate with Long & Foster.

Sally's love of art, sports, and thirst for knowledge were lifelong passions. She frequently visited museums with family and friends, engaged in conversations involving music, current events, and technology, and played tennis regularly into her late eighties.

Sally loved her family and friends unconditionally. She approached life with both natural talent and determined perseverance, always guided by kindness, empathy, and integrity. Her many gifts were shared generously, and her wisdom, grounded in faith, sustained her through life with a spirit of happiness and hope. Sally's enduring impact lives on in all who knew her and together we celebrate an extraordinary life, beautifully lived.

A funeral service will be held on Friday, May 1, 2026, at 11:00 AM, at St. John's Episcopal Church, 6715 Georgetown Pike, McLean, VA, followed by the interment at Fairfax Memorial Park, 9900 Braddock Road, Fairfax, VA,  and a reception at the family home.