Nancy Kerr Johnson

April 23, 1944
August 6, 2025
Forever Missed

Nancy Kerr Johnson (81) a loving mother, grandmother, and friend, passed away peacefully in Murrieta, California on August 6, 2025. She was happy and smiling with her son by her side when she passed.

She went by the name Kerrie her entire life. Kerrie was born in Moffat, Scotland on April 23, 1944, to Joseph and Agnes Patterson. Her father was a veterinarian, and her mother was a teacher. As a child she grew up in Edinburgh, Scotland, where she attended St George’s School for Girls. She later worked for the National Blood Transfusion Service and eventually moved to the United States in November 1966.

She worked for several years as a nanny in the Bay Area of California and worked for Intel Corporation before meeting Hugh Roger Johnson. Kerrie and Hugh married in April 1972, and in November 1974 they had a son, Brian Joseph Johnson. They spent many years living in the Bay Area of California and later moved to Temecula, CA in 1983.  She worked for two wineries in town and later became a teacher.

Kerrie was a passionate reader, she loved to laugh and spend time with her friends, she enjoyed visiting new places, watching documentaries, British television, and she loved most of all, time with her family and her two beloved grandchildren. Despite some of the challenges life threw at her, Kerrie always managed to remain very positive and strong. She will be forever missed by her family and friends.

Kerrie is survived by her son, Brian Johnson, her daughter-in-law, Laela Johnson, two grandchildren, Christopher Hugh and Jillian Elizabeth, and her sister, Margaret Irvine. She was preceded in death by her parents and her siblings, George Patterson and Jenny Campbell.

Her ashes will be spread in a private service. Memories/tributes/photos can be posted online at: www.murrietavalleyfuneralhome.com.

Tribute Wall

Alison Hanna
Kerrie was not only my Aunt but my Godmother. My first trip abroad was to California to visit Kerrie and Hugh. What an amazing experience that was. From Farrell’s Icecream parlour that had been arranged for my birthday - there was a chicken pox outbreak - so I tried to hide under the table when the staff appeared with the ice cream zoo.. - to visiting Yosemite plus so many more experiences. I was also mesmerised when Uncle Hugh puffed smoke rings, oh so many happy memories. Kerrie did visit Scotland and catch up with her sisters and other family. I remember her visiting my husband and I in our house, she looked exactly as she does in this profile. I loved the occasional call, enjoyed writing to her as well. An amazing lady, put up with her lot with huge grace.
September 12 / 2025
Lynn Cruz
My dearest friend! I’ve missed you so much even though it’s only been a few weeks! I met you at Callaway Winery were we were tour guides. The four of us became fast friends and has lasted 40 years. We had so many fun adventures together!
August 30 / 2025
David Bondi
I have known Kerrie my entire life, 59yrs. She and my mum were best friends. One from Scotland and the other from England. Both ended up in SF Bay Area. They walked and pushed baby strollers for blocks in those days. The two animatedly chatting away for ages on end. Solving all the problems of the world! The heavy brogue accents fearsome for any Californian to hear near or afar. But they Both had hearts of gold and were sweet. Kerrie was a remarkable woman. Inner strength of v deep resolve. Rolled with the punches life dealt her, whenever however they came. Some hard times to go through. Resilient and a kind soul. Determined and Strong but with sensitivity and grace. She always sought the best, and when you spoke with her or visited, she always gave you her full attention. Loved her kitty cat, and kids, and teaching and friends, and was a terrific shortbread baker. But I will remember her laugh and smile the most. She was a lovely lady. Who will be sadly missed. Sending our love to Brain and family. God Bless Kerrie. xx.
September 1 / 2025
Natalie Dealy
42 years ago I met Kerrie holding court in the Callaway winery kitchen. A pixie cut framed her sweet wee face and she wore her trademark culottes and low-heeled loafers (I have never seen anything like them and now at 63, I think I could use a pair.) Kerrie was instructing fellow tour guides on the “proper” method of polishing wine glasses with tissue paper. Like some mischievous hybrid of a Scot Mary Poppins and Hyacinth Bucket, Kerrie had high standards and was keen to share them with you. Over the years we bonded over our love of food and I learned many things: about “real” whipped cream, the superiority of UK Cadbury chocolate, how rice flour in shortbread gives it a sandy texture (and no, I don’t have her recipe) and the indisputable fact that our friend Lynn made the most divine salsa and she couldn’t be bothered with the rest of the pot luck. And while you’re up duckie, please get her another Corona. She liked to clink glasses with a Robert Burns toast: Here’s tae us! Wha’s like us? Gey few, and they’re a’ deid! Damn few as wonderful as you, Kerrie.
September 2 / 2025
Barbara LoPresti
I had the privilege of looking after Kerrie before and after she lost her leg, while she was in a home in Hemet. We knew each other a long time before in Temecula. We became close friends and my husband Jim and I spent many times together with her. She was always positive despite all her challenges and we loved a lot always and enjoyed our times together. She will be greatly missed and never be forgotten. I am sending my love to you, dear Kerrie, where you are now in peace and freedom❤️
August 28 / 2025

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Tribute Wall

Alison Hanna
Kerrie was not only my Aunt but my Godmother. My first trip abroad was to California to visit Kerrie and Hugh. What an amazing experience that was. From Farrell’s Icecream parlour that had been arranged for my birthday - there was a chicken pox outbreak - so I tried to hide under the table when the staff appeared with the ice cream zoo.. - to visiting Yosemite plus so many more experiences. I was also mesmerised when Uncle Hugh puffed smoke rings, oh so many happy memories. Kerrie did visit Scotland and catch up with her sisters and other family. I remember her visiting my husband and I in our house, she looked exactly as she does in this profile. I loved the occasional call, enjoyed writing to her as well. An amazing lady, put up with her lot with huge grace.
September 12 / 2025
Lynn Cruz
My dearest friend! I’ve missed you so much even though it’s only been a few weeks! I met you at Callaway Winery were we were tour guides. The four of us became fast friends and has lasted 40 years. We had so many fun adventures together!
August 30 / 2025
David Bondi
I have known Kerrie my entire life, 59yrs. She and my mum were best friends. One from Scotland and the other from England. Both ended up in SF Bay Area. They walked and pushed baby strollers for blocks in those days. The two animatedly chatting away for ages on end. Solving all the problems of the world! The heavy brogue accents fearsome for any Californian to hear near or afar. But they Both had hearts of gold and were sweet. Kerrie was a remarkable woman. Inner strength of v deep resolve. Rolled with the punches life dealt her, whenever however they came. Some hard times to go through. Resilient and a kind soul. Determined and Strong but with sensitivity and grace. She always sought the best, and when you spoke with her or visited, she always gave you her full attention. Loved her kitty cat, and kids, and teaching and friends, and was a terrific shortbread baker. But I will remember her laugh and smile the most. She was a lovely lady. Who will be sadly missed. Sending our love to Brain and family. God Bless Kerrie. xx.
September 1 / 2025
Natalie Dealy
42 years ago I met Kerrie holding court in the Callaway winery kitchen. A pixie cut framed her sweet wee face and she wore her trademark culottes and low-heeled loafers (I have never seen anything like them and now at 63, I think I could use a pair.) Kerrie was instructing fellow tour guides on the “proper” method of polishing wine glasses with tissue paper. Like some mischievous hybrid of a Scot Mary Poppins and Hyacinth Bucket, Kerrie had high standards and was keen to share them with you. Over the years we bonded over our love of food and I learned many things: about “real” whipped cream, the superiority of UK Cadbury chocolate, how rice flour in shortbread gives it a sandy texture (and no, I don’t have her recipe) and the indisputable fact that our friend Lynn made the most divine salsa and she couldn’t be bothered with the rest of the pot luck. And while you’re up duckie, please get her another Corona. She liked to clink glasses with a Robert Burns toast: Here’s tae us! Wha’s like us? Gey few, and they’re a’ deid! Damn few as wonderful as you, Kerrie.
September 2 / 2025
Barbara LoPresti
I had the privilege of looking after Kerrie before and after she lost her leg, while she was in a home in Hemet. We knew each other a long time before in Temecula. We became close friends and my husband Jim and I spent many times together with her. She was always positive despite all her challenges and we loved a lot always and enjoyed our times together. She will be greatly missed and never be forgotten. I am sending my love to you, dear Kerrie, where you are now in peace and freedom❤️
August 28 / 2025