February 22, 1935 – September 29, 2024
Barbara Marie Kathleen Busse Johansen, devoted mother, beloved wife, loving sister and aunt, and nationally recognized oncology Social Worker, passed September 29, 2024.
Barbara Johansen
A daughter of William Richard and Kathleen (McGowan) Busse, Barbara was born in New York City, and raised in Beechurst, NY. Barbara attended Chestnut Hill College, PA, graduating from Fordham University with a BS in Philosophy and Education (1956). At Fordham, Barbara met the love of her life, John Christian Johansen, III. They married in April, 1957. John became an officer and pilot in the US Air Force, as Barbara taught elementary school on Strategic Air Command bases in Maine, North Carolina and Texas. They returned to civilian life in 1960, and moved their young family from Long Island to New Canaan in 1966.
Barbara actively participated in the New Canaan New Comers’ Club, the first Waveny Committees, AAUW, the New Canaan Town Band (bass drum), Nature Center, Scouting, Girls and Boys Baseball, St. Aloysius and St. Thomas More Churches, New Canaan Country School, and the Convent of the Sacred Heart (Greenwich) where John was a member of the Board of Trustees.
Following her son Paul’s death from cancer, Barbara developed and founded the breakthrough C.O.P.E. (Change of Pace Experiences); a 501-c3 offering programs for parents of children with cancer/catastrophic illness. Working with 16 New York area medical centers, COPE successfully served over 600 parents throughout the 1980’s. In 1993, Barbara merged COPE with Paul Newman’s Hole In The Wall Gang Camp in order to serve campers’ parents. This parents’ program continues to this day.
A nationally recognized pioneer, author and leader in pediatric cancer and family care, Barbara was the recipient of dozens of national and regional awards for her oncology, family programs, innovative development of effective, successful not-for-profit organizations, and social work. Barbara appeared, with her family, on national television programs including 60 Minutes, America Alive, and Christopher Closeup.
In 1988 Barbara received a Masters in Clinical Social Work from Fordham University. She worked as a Clinical Oncology Social Worker; first at Yale Child Study, then at Greenwich Hospital, from which she retired after 17 years. Barbara brought her deep compassion and commitment to her work. She was awarded the national American Cancer Society Lane Adams Award for Excellence in Social Work. Following her first retirement, Barbara returned to her passion, as a Clinical Social Worker, part-time, initially at Norwalk Hospital, and finally with the Town of New Canaan as the Senior Social Worker Case Manager, retiring in 2005.
Barbara served on multiple Boards including The Hole In The Wall Gang (following the 1993 merger with her not-for-profit Change of Pace Experiences), The Center for Hope, Darien (co-founder), Staying Put In New Canaan (one of 5 co-founders).
Barbara was a member of the New Canaan Winter Club (since 1976), and Woodway Country Club (since 1978) where she was on the Tennis Team, House and Beach Committees, and in the Book Group.
A person of deep faith, Barbara had the gentlest spirit, and the strongest spine. Barbara loved her family, helping others, travel, music, reading, learning and gardening. Barbara is survived by her daughter, Kathleen Marie Johansen-Stagg, son-in-law, Kevin Michael Stagg, niece – goddaughter Corinne O’Connor Montella, nephew – godson Dennis O’Connor (Karen), sister in law, Andrea Johansen and nephews Peter and Timothy Johansen (Karen). Barbara was predeceased by her son, Paul John Johansen (1979), her husband, John Christian Johansen, III (2003), and her sister, Natalie Busse Burr (2024).
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in honor of Barbara Johansen to the The Hole In The Wall Gang’s Parents Program holeinthewallgang.org and Staying Put In New Canaan stayingputnc.org .
A remembrance gathering will be held at Hoyt Funeral Home, Thursday, 10/10 5pm-7:30pm. A mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday 10/11 10:30am, St. Thomas More Church, Darien. Internment at Lakeview Cemetery, New Canaan, CT followed by a reception at Woodway Country Club, Darien. Memories and condolences may be emailed to kmbjohansen@gmail.com
Barbara was such a sweet, smart and generous person. She touched so many lives and was still volunteering just a few weeks ago. She will be greatly missed.
Just seeing her photo you can feel a goodness about her…
We were fortunate to have Barbara as a neighbor for many years – such a kind and thoughtful person.
Barbara will be greatly missed. She was always such a calm, serene presence with a kind and generous spirit. It was a privilege to have known her.
This article truly captured the essence of Barbara Johansen, highlighting her many accomplishments, her love of community, and her intense faith.
I had the privilege of working with Barbara when I served on the Executive Board of the New Canaan Branch of American Association of University Women (AAUW). I was able to see her commitment to our community when she volunteered as Director of our branch’s Cultural Interests programs. Our branch held free monthly educational programs in Waveny House for AAUW members and open to the public.
In recognition of her significant contributions to the New Canaan community, Barbara received the AAUW New Canaan Branch Woman of the Year Award.
“Wherever there is a human being, there is an opportunity for a kindness.” – Seneca