With great sadness I advise the passing of Johanna Gordon on 18/1/18 in Pennsylvania, who with her other half, Skip, are two of our dearest friends. Despite the distance between our domiciles our relationship has continued since 1974. As a quartet we have done much together - corresponded, travelled many kilometres, joked, laughed, cried, sat in ICU, dined, survived a car accident, licked stamps for Super Shoot and spent time in one another's home/company both in Australia and the USA.

Johanna has been in poor health for over a year and received hospice care but passed quietly and peacefully at home in the company of Skip and family.

Johanna contributed much to the world and apart from being remembered as a lady full of charm to the benchrest fraternity she will be remembered as The Mother of Super Shoot. Although the concept was born as a good idea the Gordons turned it into a reality despite opposition, with SS #1 first held in 1973 in the USA. But before it became part of history a sponsor was required. Johanna at the time and until her retirement was an Executive with Ohaus Scales and charmed the owners of that establishment to come on board and under write the event. The concept is now embraced and conducted but without the advocacy, persuasion and acumen of Johanna, Skip and the owners of Ohaus Scales owners who knows if benchrest shooters would have seen Super Shoots eventuate.

Johanna had an affinity with Australia and organised numerous visitations to Australia and also Europe where her multi lingual skills were put to productive use for shooting and Trade shows representing Ohaus scales.

In 1975 one trip the Gordon's organised was here to Australia where she competed in Canberra and Brisbane proving she knew her way around a benchrest rifle and shooting groups something she did regularly stateside. During this time a Super Shoot for Aussies was discussed and despite organising SS #4 in America she provided input, assistance and encouragement for Australian SS #1 to become a reality in October 1976 that Skip attended but business kept Johanna home.

1979 Johanna and Skip organised and were the nominal leaders of "Gordon's Mob" who came to have fun and see wineries, do a bit of hunting, opal fields and Barrier Reef but also shoot at Para and Canberra. At Para Johanna proudly shot her SSAA
Ruby Medal Award.

1981 Johanna competed in her first Super Shoot (#IX) in the USA after retiring as Associate Director of the previous eight - a position she held from 1973 to 1980

1988 Johanna was back in Australia on a private visit with Skip and his mother, Mickey, for the Bi Centennial. After the Australia Day matches they had great fun at the SSAA ACT organised dinner/dance at the original Yarralumla Wool Shed.

Once Skip sorts the details, documentation and bureaucracy with airlines and Norwegian officialdom he and Conrad will take Johanna home to Arendal in Norway. Skip will in time sell their mountain retirement retreat and move back to his roots on the eastern shores of Maryland.

To the question how are you holding up? - Skip's answer - the light has gone out, managing but it's a tough go.
There will be many persons world wide feeling his pain and offer condolences but for our part our friendship circle of nearest and dearest just grew smaller.

Condolences to Skip and family on the passing of a true lady so loved and respected.

RIP Jo Jo

Ann and Tom Brummell