Peggy Lunette Pipes Johnson

Our beloved stepmother, Mrs. Peggy Lunette Pipes-Johnson, died at age 93 on Friday, January 5, 2024, in Hillsboro, Oregon. Peggy was born in Dallas, Texas, on June 16, 1930, to Lunette Waller Pipes and Wesley O'Feral Pipes. She had a brilliant career and upon retiring, married into our family.
Peggy Lunette Pipes, MPH, MA, RD, was educated at Columbia University and the University of Michigan in Nutrition, Institutional Management, and Public Health Nutrition. She was renowned for her work in child nutrition and specifically in Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS), a rare genetic disorder that results in a number of physical, mental, and behavioral problems. PWS symptoms usually start at about age 2 with one symptom being a constant desire to eat because the feeling-full mechanism is affected.
Peggy co-authored with Dr. Vanya Holm several articles on diet and nutrition for children with PWS at a time when many health care professionals knew very little about this disorder. Together, they organized the first Scientific Conference on PWS in Minneapolis, Minnesota. This conference resulted in the first book on PWS, published in 1981. Peggy not only wrote many scientific articles on the subject, but did the hands-on work of meeting one-on-one with educators, parents, students, and caregivers to demonstrate appropriate care for the PWS child.
Peggy served as Chief Dietitian and Supervisor in several children's hospitals and medical centers and taught at the University of Washington. She was the lead author of over 39 publications on child nutrition and Prader-Willi Syndrome and presented on those subjects across the United States, gathering reactions like, "You were terrific; clear, interesting, delightful; you were quite a hit; marvelous teacher with personal style; 224 attended your session; your Feeding Guide is the best piece ever developed - the reaction by physicians has been outstanding." She authored several editions of the book, "Nutrition in Infancy and Childhood," a textbook for health science students, and her work is cited in over two hundred other publications. In 1986, upon request from the Surgeon General, she provided information for the national Surgeon General's Report on Nutrition and Health. During her career, she trained thousands of students and professionals. She was also committed to her professional organization, serving at the national, state, and local levels. She served as President of the Washington State Dietetic Association, chaired several committees, and served as a founding member and a board member of the national PWS organization.
Peggy remained active in the Hillsboro community after her husband Grant died. She set up and administered the Grant T. Johnson Memorial Grants Program, through the Hillsboro Community Foundation, to honor his efforts supporting arts and culture in Hillsboro. Jerralynn Ness, retired Executive Director of Community Action of Washington County, said, "Peggy was a highly respected professional nationally in the world of Early Childhood Development and a fan of Head Start. She was a joy and a delightful addition to the Hillsboro community."
Peggy was quick-witted, curious about everything, and garnered significant respect from everyone who knew her. In fact, she was quick-witted and curious until her last day of life. She was a wonderful addition to our family - warm, down-to-earth, generous, intelligent, supportive. We loved her quirky Texas sense of humor, her sharp intellect, and her attention to fashion.
Peggy is greatly missed and will be remembered always for her contributions and for her zest for life.
Her survivors include 3 stepchildren and their spouses: Sharon Mead/Dan Mead; Korene Johnson; Laurie Johnson/Martin Vlach, Fred Johnson/Letha Johnson; beloved nieces and nephews: Phylis Jha, Wesley W. Pipes, Susan Gobreski, and Gordon Pipes; 9 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren. Peggy was preceded in death by her husband Grant Johnson, stepson Ted Johnson, brother Wesley Pipes, and niece Victoria Pipes.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to one of the following:
1. Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation < https://one.bidpal.net/academyfoundation/welcome > to support students and professionals (< https://one.bidpal.net/academyfoundation/welcome >)
2. Grant T. Johnson Memorial Grants Program < https://www.hillsborocommunityfoundation.org/hcf-funds.html > that Peggy set up through the Hillsboro Community Foundation (< https://www.hillsborocommunityfoundation.org/hcf-funds.html >)
A Memorial Service will held on Saturday, January 20 at 1:00 pm at the Hillsboro First Baptist Church, 177 NE Lincoln St, Hillsboro, OR 97124.