“The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life, of whom shall I be afraid?”  Psalm 27:1  The Lord is our Strength.

 

The Roberts, Barclay, Johansson, Parker, Cooper and related families regret to announce the death of Ida Roberts Johansson on January 3, 2021 in Stockholm, Sweden after a brief illness.

 

Ida was the daughter of Bishop Mai Barclay Roberts and Charles B. Roberts Sr., both of whom pre-deceased her. She was born in Monrovia, Liberia on October 27, 1943 and brought up in the Christian tradition. Her primary education began in Monrovia, Liberia. She completed primary and secondary education at the Mount St. Mary Academy in Newburgh, New York. Later, she got a scholarship to attend school at Viggbyholm Skolan, Sweden where she learned to speak Swedish as fluently as a native. In recognition of her service and scholarship in international relations Ida received the Dag Hammarskjold annual award. Thereafter she attended college at Uppsala University where she graduated with a degree in Economics. Ida worked with the Granges International Mining Company(GIM), parent company of the Lamco J.V. Operating Company for 10 years. Prior to retirement she worked  in various capacities with Folksam International for an extended period. 

 

In 1965 Ida met her sweetheart, Rolf Johansson while she was a student at Uppsala University. They were married 2 years later on December 13, 1967 and remained faithful to each other for 53 years until her death. Their marriage was blessed with three children, Rolf (Marbue), Mona and Eric. Ida was a gentle, kind, loving and compassionate person. She loved to read, loved life and family. Ida and her sister Nete (Juanita) were raised as twin sisters. They were inseparable as children. For most of her adult life Ida lived in Stockholm, Sweden. She and her family lived in Liberia for a few years in the Lamco concession area of Buchanan, Grand Bassa county. They loved Buchanan and appreciated its natural beauty and culture.

 

Ida was loved and appreciated for the very unique and special person that she was. She had a generous spirit, a friendly personality, always welcoming others into her space. She also had a  forgiving spirit with a tendency to seek out the best in people.

 

She was fun to be around, a sociable person who loved to dance. In the 1960’s she won a twist dance contest with her dance partner Edwin Williams who was also from Liberia. Ida was curious to the point of amusement, famous for asking “why ?” questions. She exemplified the Liberian saying that “why has a long tale”. Ida was gracious with an infectious smile. She loved not only her immediate family, but also her extended family. She maintained regular contact with family by video calls. She liked gadgets and was partial to the Apple line of products. Ida was active on Facebook, always in touch, always socially connected with birthday greetings, condolence messages, maintaining a presence in spite of separation by distance and time. To say that she was proud of her children and loved her family, especially her grandchildren, would be an understatement. 

 

She was affectionately called the “Swedish old mom”, and “Swedish bush cat” alluding to a no nonsense, bold and determined attitude. Ida’s spirit lives on in the relationships she cherished and left behind. She lived to see the success of her children. She loved and nurtured her grandchildren. Her role as a faithful and loving wife, mother, sister and friend is arguably her greatest legacy.  She will be missed but never forgotten.

 

Ida is survived by her husband, Rolf Johansson; her children, Rolf Barclay(Anki), Mona Hall(Mikael), Eric Barclay(Jenny); and her ten grandchildren: William, Leah, Maxwell, Felix, Neo, Wilmer, Maximilian, Benjamin, Minelle, and Bianca; her siblings: Juanita Roberts Ramirez, Hannah Daniels, Charles B. Roberts Jr. (Cathlyn), Wokie  Weah (Joseph), Sandy Roberts, Grace B. Minor, Emelda Garwuo, Martha Campbell (Richlieu), Myra Morris,  Genevieve Freeman (Manju); Bertha Freeman; her uncles Gerald Barclay, Dr. Anthony Barclay Jr. and Dr. Emmanuel Barclay;  cousins, nephews, nieces and a host of other relatives. She will be remembered as a dedicated wife,  loving mother and grandmother, auntie,  wonderful sister, and friend to many in Liberia, Sweden  the USA, England, the Middle East and beyond.

 

Ida will be buried in Sweden on February 3, 2021. A virtual memorial service will be held on February 27, 2021 to celebrate her life. We will cherish her memory in our hearts. 

 

May  the soul of Ida Roberts Johansson rest in perfect peace, and light perpetual shine upon her.  

Amen.