CELEBRATING A LIFE OF SERVICE

1922-2021

Aleen Johnson, a former Aspire (Aberg Center for Literacy) volunteer, passed away this month after living a life based on family, service to others, and faith. Aleen began serving the organization after reading a story in the paper and knew she wanted to help. A long-time teacher, Aleen was a dedicated educator in the GED program and helped all who reached out for help to improve their lives.

When asked in 2014 about teaching GED classes Aleen expressed, “The students are eager to learn, and all have a goal to work towards: most have young children, and they want to pave the way as positive role models.” At Aspire our students have hope for their future because they can overcome obstacles to learning and exceed their expectations.

Aleen grew up in Highland, Illinois. She attended school and worked in her parent's general store and boarding house, the East End Mercantile. An intelligent and industrious individual, Aleen graduated valedictorian from Highland High School (1940), and received a B.S. in Education from Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. She married John Johnson in Chicago on September 14, 1946 and moved to Dallas, eventually settling in the Lakewood neighborhood. Aleen led a very busy life, raising her sons Eric and Keith, obtaining a Master of education from SMU, and teaching kindergarten at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic School for 10 years.

Aleen is a shining example of what Aspire volunteers experience when they dedicate their time to help and share their gifts with our students. Our students come to us with their own stories, struggles, and hopes for their future. We are honored to partner with them as they strive to make the most of their lives. We are all in this together, so we are constantly staying grounded in our role as compassionate and purposeful experts.

Aleen and her family request that in lieu of flowers, please make donations to a charity of your choice in her honor, or please consider: Aspire (formerly LIFT and the Aberg Center for Literacy) P.O. Box 570159, Dallas, TX 75357 or www.aspiretolearn.org/donate.

Important Dates

• 11-30-2021
   National Giving Tuesday

• 12-17-2021
   Last day of fall classes

• 12-24-2021 - 01-02-2022
   Aspire offices closed for the
   holidays

• 12-25-2021
   Christmas Day

• 01-01-2022
   New Year's Day

• 01-10-2022
   Spring registration begins

• 02-07-2022
   Start of spring semester

• 03-31-2022
   Toast to Literacy Auction

• Fall 2022
   Legacy of Literacy Breakfast

Help Aspire serve more students by making a tax-deductible donation today.