The Mother of Many and a Maker of Soap!

Kathy Johnson is the mother of seven children, ages 21 months to 21 years, and just a month ago became a grandmother! After Kathy's brother died at age seven, Kathy was an only child from age five on. Her family moved to the Springdale area of Corbett when she was just 13 months old, and after her brother Kenny passed of Cystic Fibrosis, her family moved up to the Aims area of Corbett. Kathy then lived in Aims until leaving for college. Attending Clackamas Community College, it was at this time she met her husband Jay, through some mutual friends. Getting married in 1988, Kathy got her hairdressing license and cut hair for many years. She later worked in advertising with Nickel Ads and also a sign company. Jay has worked as both a cabinet maker and also for the Portland Rescue Mission. Things changed for them a few years back when they purchased some goats to eat the blackberries on their property. Kathy researched 1.5 years the process of making soap from the goat's milk. After many attempts, everything "came together" and a successful recipe was created. Going full-time into soap making in Sept. 2009, now both Jay and Kathy are employed full-time with Farm Maid Soap, LLC. Kathy just got back in Sept. from a 16 day journey to China to teach Tibetans how to make soap for themselves! She and Corbett friend, Sheron Freuhauf went together and were at an elevation of 11,800 at their project site! Recently a a cargo shipment of soap has been sent to Korea of the Farm Maid soap. "Never put God in a box" laughs Kathy! Living in Corbett on the land she grew up on has been the ultimate joy for Kathy and her family. Her mom and step dad live in her original childhood home, while she and Jay live with their kids in their own home, and her daughter, son-in-law and baby live just next door! Over the years, her entire family has been heavily involved in the Corbett Children's Theatre. Jay is the current president, while Kathy is the musical director and does the "hard hair" for the casts. Her children and now granddaughter Evangeline have quite the Corbett foundation!