Avery Nicole Johnson Keen

Avery Nicole Johnson Keen, 35, St. Augustine, Florida passed away December 22nd after a hard-fought and courageous battle with cancer. Born to Larry and Becky Johnson of Switzerland, Florida on September 12, 1989 she was a blessing we will never forget.

Avery was in the first Kindergarten class at Cunningham Creek Elementary School, attended Switzerland Point Middle School and graduated from Bartram Trail High School and Florida State College of Jacksonville with her bachelor’s degree in nursing. She worked summers in Fruit Cove Middle School’s front office, at Switzerland Animal Hospital and the Fruit Cove Publix before finding to her true passion of caring for sick children originally in POPS at Wolfson Children’s Hospital (WCH) in downtown Jacksonville. Avery married her high school sweetheart Zack and moved briefly to Columbia, South Carolina nursing adults at Palmetto Health Richland Hospital before returning to her roots in St. John’s County and the children of Wolfson’s. At WCH, she cared for babies and children in every capacity as a nurse on units such as NICU, PICU, CVICU, and on the FLEX team, until finding her passion in the pediatric ER with her Southies. No matter who she came in contact with, patients, parents, co-workers, or complete strangers, she made you feel heard, safe and valued, receiving a number of Daisy Awards.

Avery knew the importance of being an advocate for others. Never settling for “this is just the way it is” kind of answers. This attribute she also applied to herself when diagnosed with cancer. She knew something was wrong and fought to the end, asking all the questions, not settling and refusing to allow the disease to define her. 

Avery was all about family, the ones related by blood and the ones she welcomed into her heart. She loved spending time with family at home, the park, the canal, the pool, the classroom, on vacation and everywhere in between. She was usually the coordinator and always the one making sure you ate, especially her baked goods. If you were ever in need, she stepped in to give a helping hand even before you asked. 

Those who were close to Avery know she had several nicknames, Ave-a-babe and Suga-Babe. Playing on her second nickname, Avery started a cottage business during the pandemic called “Sugar Babe Sweets n Treats”. If you ever had one of her cookies you know that baking and decorating cookies became another way she left her mark on this world. 

All of the jobs, hobbies and passions Avery had paled in comparison to the most important responsibility she made her daily priority, her boys. Max and Nolan were her life. The boys came first, no matter what. School, PTA board, community activities, ball games, or just hanging out on the couch at home, Avery and the boys were always laughing with one another. Yes, Max and Nolan got her humor. Next time you see them, you'll notice that Avery lives in and through them.

Avery will always live with us all forever. Being a friend to all no matter if she knew you for 35 years or 35 minutes, your life is better having known or met her. 

She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Ealie and Inez Johnson of Jacksonville and Orangedale and Arthur and Judy Falana of Switzerland; her Uncle Eugene and Aunt Barbara and sister-cousin Linda Jean Falana. Avery is survived by her parents Larry and Becky Johnson; second mother and sister Stephanie (Chris) Brown; her husband Zack Keen and their adoring children Max and Nolan Keen; her first children, her nephews Wyatt and Tyler Brown. Many aunts, uncles and cousins who were more like immediate than extended family. She is also survived by her in-laws, Ed and Danette Keen, Jeremy (Victoria) Keen, Kathryn (Nick) Herrera, 4 nephews and 1 niece.

Avery’s family would like to thank her “village” which includes all of her Southies who took care of their own all the way to the end no matter where she was at home or in the hospital. Family and friends who visited, sat at appointments, brought food, picked up the boys, texted, called and prayed. Knowing Avery was so loved brings comfort and peace. 

A celebration of Avery’s life will be held Saturday, December 28th at 11am at Swiss Cove Christian Church 1965 SR-13 Switzerland, FL 32259.

In lieu of flowers, please bring pictures or memories to share. Donations of new toys can also be brought to the celebration to benefit the children’s ER at Baptist South or donations in memory of Avery may be made to the Wolfson ER at Baptist South. Please send your gift to: Baptist Health Foundation, 841 Prudential Dr Ste 1300, Jacksonville, FL 32207. Online donations can be made at www.baptistjax.com/about-us/give