Elizabeth "Becky" Hill Johnson

Elizabeth "Becky" Hill Johnson, 93, a leader in education in Oregon, has died.

Johnson was a member of the state Board of Higher Education. She also served as director and vice president of the Samuel S. Johnson Foundation, which was named for her late husband and based in Redmond. The organization contributes to arts and culture, education, health care, science and social service organizations.

She died on Jan. 1 in Redmond.

"She loved this place we call Oregon --the land, its people and its natural beauty," said Gov. Ted Kulongoski. "To Becky, public service was a family value."

Both her husband and daughter served in the Oregon Legislature.

"She did it because she thought that's what you do," said her daughter, state Sen. Betsy Johnson, D-Scappoose.

She married Sam Johnson, a timber baron in 1944.