Lillian Arsanis Johns

February 2, 1923 - December 14, 2022

Lillian Arsanis Johns passed away peacefully on December 14, 2022. She was 99 years old and died of natural causes in her sleep. She was razor sharp up until the time of her death, counting her cards faster than anyone while playing a game of Blackjack with family.

Lillian was born February 2, 1923 in San Francisco, California. The oldest daughter of hard-working immigrant parents from Iran, Lillian (or as most knew her, “Lilly”) was raised in the Western Addition neighborhood of San Francisco. She and her younger sister Jeanne remained close throughout their lives. Proud of her Assyrian heritage, Lilly was a supporter of the Assyrian community with the Assyrian Aid Society in San Francisco and the Assyrian American Civic Club in Turlock, California.

After graduating from Polytechnic High School in San Francisco, Lilly worked for Redwood Theatres Corporation as Executive Assistant and Office Manager for 62 years, supporting the founder and president George Mann and then his son, Richard Mann. Mann Theatres represented a large, prestigious chain of movie theatres, offering the most popular films in elegant surroundings. Often George and Lilly would talk about the film business, saying that they may not know much about making movies, but they knew they were entertaining people and would remain popular. Lillian was deeply committed to the business and the Mann family, creating close, life-long friendships with George, Richard and their families. She was someone they could always count on – very loyal, and brilliant in her work.

Lilly was married to William (Bill) Johns for 42 years until his passing in 2003. Bill and Lilly met as childhood friends and their romance blossomed when Bill returned to San Francisco after serving as a pilot and officer in the United States Air Force. She and Bill were known for hosting guests with style and flair in their beautiful home in Daly City. Designed for entertaining, the grand salon on the main floor overlooked Lake Merced

and the dining room downstairs could be set for several dozen. From dinner parties to Sunday gatherings, no hostess compared to Lilly. She was “solid gold” and brought a touch a class to everything. Lilly was an excellent cook, particularly known for the best prime rib, salad dressing, and Assyrian dolma. She won everyone over with her delightful smile, her charm, and her passion for always wanting to make everything special for each guest.

Lilly especially loved holidays. Her Christmas tree was like none other with its glamorous lights and decorations. It was surrounded by a plethora of gifts with her personal extravagant wrappings of huge bows and baubles. However, Lilly never wanted to receive gifts – for her the joy was all in the giving. Year after year, it was Lilly that kept everyone together.

Bill and Lilly also loved to go out. Whether it was with Frank, Dean or Sammy at one of their performances in Lake Tahoe or Las Vegas, creating a fun scene at Ernie’s, the Palace Hotel, or gathering at Westlake Joe’s, Lilly garnered all the attention. Wearing sequins and fur, she loved glamour and fashion, with the style of Sophia Loren and Zsa Zsa Gabor. One favorite is the story of a night when she caught the eye of Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra, who joined Bill and Lilly for cocktails after their show. She would always arrange for the best table, the finest wine, and make every event beautiful. Ultimately what was important to Lilly was making things special for others. There will never be another Lilly.

Lilly is preceded in death by her husband Bill Johns and her sister Jeanne Shimmon. She was loving aunt to David and Steven Shimmon; Kenneth, Ronald and David Johns; Christopher and Stephanie Johns; and John Furtado and Cristina Pantazelos.

Services and Internment will be held at Turlock Memorial Park on Wednesday, January 18, 2023 at 11:30 a.m.