The 1960s were coming to an end, and Elizabeth had been increasingly concerned about her daughter Sylvia. She worried about the time she had to spend away from her daughter. With her marriage ended and her daughter needing her close by, Elizabeth felt it was time to follow a different path.

She made the difficult decision to leave show business and settle down. Her final engagement was in San Francisco, where she opened the new Miyako Hotel. After closing night, she left for Los Angeles (where she had several friends), took an apartment, and changed her name to Johanna. Then she took a job with PacBell Yellow Pages, brought Sylvia to Los Angeles, and settled into the 9-to-5 world in order to make a normal life for her daughter.

It was not long before she met the love of her life, Allan Dordick, an advertising agency executive. They married, and added two little boys from Allan's previous marriage (Scott and Gary) to the family. Now they shared three precious children. It was a very full life.

Although the couple loved going to various cities to hear opera, Allan began to notice Johanna's longing for music. He believed she needed to return to her operatic studies. But balancing a family and full-time work made it too difficult. Over the years she had held demanding positions with Pac Bell, the Los Angeles Times (Display Advertising) and Gralla Publications (which she represented in seven Western States).

Johanna, Allan and Sylvia,
Their first Christmas/Hannukah

“The Boys” – Scott and Gary