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Students, staff and parents at Robert Goddard Montessori School in Seabrook are remembering their beloved principal, Suzi Johnson, who died May 27.

"She knew everyone — she was a leader, she was smart and sweet," said Veronica Evans, 32, of Bowie, the mother of kindergartner Laila, 6, and sixth-grader Nia, 11. "She was a good principal, very involved — she was at all the concerts. It's hard to imagine she won't be coming back."

Johnson died at age 46 after being diagnosed less than three weeks earlier with pancreatic and liver cancer May 7, according to a letter from her family. The school's students and parents were informed in a letter sent home that afternoon.

Parent liaison Candace Gunn said Johnson, who lived in Laurel, took medical leave in April after spring break but was expected to return to school in the fall.

During a previously planned peace event at the school later this month, a garden will likely be dedicated to and named after Johnson, Gunn said. In addition to the Johnson family's memorial ceremony planned for June 12 in Pennsylvania, the school is planning its own ceremony in Johnson's memory somewhere in Maryland later this month.

Kathy Schwab, the school's assistant principal and administrator in charge, said Johnson was a private person. Johnson was not married and had no children.

Johnson became principal in 2007 and had previously served for three years as the school's vice principal. She had worked in the Prince George's County Public School system for more than 20 years, including 16 years as a teacher at Matthew Henson Elementary School in Landover.

Schwab said the school has not yet started the process of filling Johnson's position.

The evening after Johnson's death, more than 400 students, teachers and parents attended a multicultural night that had been planned prior to Johnson's death. While staff initially debated whether to still hold the event, they ultimately decided Johnson would have wanted them to carry on.

To remember and honor Johnson, a table was set up with memory books for people to sign. The books will be given to Johnson's family.

"We have to show the children that even in death, life goes on," Gunn said. "We came to celebrate."

Evans agreed.

"She would have wanted to be there," she said. "We're going to miss her."

After a moment of silence, the night featured a mix of cultural performances and cuisine spanning the globe that students say is a reflection of the school's diverse population.

Radhika Kansangra, 10, of Laurel performed a Hindi dance meant to give strength to the suffering.

"Last year [Johnson] loved it and couldn't wait to see it [again this year]," Radhika said. "You noticed her absence."

News of her death prompted more than 10 graduates to attend the event.

"When I first found out [about Johnson's death], it broke my heart," said Leonard Livingston, 15, of Bowie, who graduated in 2008.

Leonard said he remembers Johnson as a caring principal who greeted each student who entered the school by name and often gave them hugs.

But he said Johnson was also stern, and on one occasion he recalls getting into a fight with a student whom he believed hit his sister. He said Johnson took him to her office and explained that he should always think before he acts, a lesson Leonard said he still follows today.

Parents also remember Johnson as a kind leader who expected excellence from staff and students.

"Kids were her reason," said Laura Adams of Greenbelt, a parent at the school. "The school meant so much to her."

Students spent time during the school day May 28 making banners and cards, and counselors were available.

Robert Goddard French Immersion students, who share the same building as Montessori students, are doing free writing to express their feelings about Johnson's death, said Kona-Facia Nepay, principal of the French Immersion school.

"It's been very, very difficult," said Tracy Gross, a teacher at Robert Goddard Montessori. "We're each other's family, so we're holding each other up."

A letter from Suzi Johnson's family sent to the Robert Goddard Montessori School community May 27 states that Johnson will be cremated and buried in the family's plot at the Hershey Cemetery in Hershey, Pa.

A ceremony will be held at 10 a.m. June 12 at the Evangelical Free Church of Hershey at 330 Hilltop Road in Hershey, followed by a tea at her request.

The letter states that in lieu of flowers, Johnson had asked that donations be made to the Robert Goddard Montessori School, Attn: Barbara Fitch, 9850 Good Luck Road, Seabrook, MD 20706.