{"id":56617,"date":"2026-07-23T04:58:07","date_gmt":"2026-07-23T04:58:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/australia\/56617\/"},"modified":"2026-07-23T04:58:07","modified_gmt":"2026-07-23T04:58:07","slug":"professor-marguerite-johnson-leni-johnson-die-in-greek-car-crash","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/australia\/56617\/","title":{"rendered":"Professor Marguerite Johnson, Leni Johnson die in Greek car crash"},"content":{"rendered":"

A Queensland academic and her partner who had just begun the retirement they had long dreamt of have died in a car crash on the Greek island of Lesvos.<\/p>\n

Professor Marguerite Johnson, 61, and Leni Johnson were killed in a single-vehicle crash on July 15 on the Panagiouda-Moria road, a few kilometres from Mytilene, according to Greek reports. <\/p>\n

The car reportedly overturned and hit a power pole on a stretch of road where drivers had previously been urged to take care because of its winding, hilly conditions.<\/p>\n

One of the women died at the scene. The other died while being taken to hospital.<\/p>\n

The deaths have sent shockwaves through academic and personal circles in Australia, where Professor Johnson was widely known for her work as a classicist at the University of Queensland and previously at the University of Newcastle, where she completed her PhD. <\/p>\n

Her research focused on ancient history, including the poetry of Sappho, and gender and sexuality in Mediterranean antiquity.<\/p>\n

The Australian Academy of the Humanities confirmed her death, stating it had learnt the news with \u201cdeep sadness\u201d.<\/p>\n

Australasian Women in Ancient World Studies said it was \u201cshocked and saddened\u201d by Professor Johnson\u2019s death and remembered her as a \u201cbrilliant, kind and thoughtful\u201d teacher whose scholarship helped shape generations of students and researchers.<\/p>\n

Friends said the couple had recently moved to Greece with their three pet chihuahuas to build the life they had worked towards for years.<\/p>\n

A GoFundMe set up to support their children, Kate and Jack, describes the family\u2019s grief as \u201cunimaginable heartbreak\u201d after the \u201cdevastating loss of Leni and Marg\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201cLeni and Marg had worked their whole lives to build the retirement they had always dreamed of,\u201d family friend Edyn Chapman wrote.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey moved to Greece with their three beloved chihuahuas to live their fairytale embracing the sunshine, the slower pace of life, and a community they quickly came to love. They were truly living the dream they had worked so hard for.\u201d<\/p>\n

Their daughter Kate had moved to Greece to continue her studies in Athens, while son Jack remained in Sydney. <\/p>\n

Ms Chapman said the pair were now facing the \u201cunimaginable loss of their two mums\u201d.<\/p>\n

Paying tribute, Ms Chapman described Leni as \u201ca beautiful, outspoken, incredibly strong woman who had lived a life full of experience\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe was fiercely loyal, generous beyond measure, and would do absolutely anything for the people she loved,\u201d Ms Chapman wrote.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe embraced her new life in Greece wholeheartedly and spoke often about how happy she was to be living the life she and Marg had always dreamed of.\u201d<\/p>\n

Of Marguerite, Ms Chapman said she had \u201cthe most calming presence\u201d. <\/p>\n

\u201cNo matter what you were worried about, she always had an answer, a story, or one of her famous old wives\u2019 tales to help with an illness, a pain, or even an itch,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe had a way of making everything feel just that little bit lighter. Her wisdom, kindness and gentle reassurance made everyone around her feel safe.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ms Chapman said the couple \u201cmade everyone feel welcome\u201d and left a lasting mark on the people around them through their \u201ckindness, humour and generosity\u201d.<\/p>\n

Read related topics:Brisbane<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"A Queensland academic and her partner who had just begun the retirement they had long dreamt of 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