Queensland academic Marguerite Johnson and partner Leni killed in Lesvos car crash after retiring to Greece

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.

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.

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.

One of the women died at the scene. The other died while being taken to hospital.

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.

Her research focused on ancient history, including the poetry of Sappho, and gender and sexuality in Mediterranean antiquity.

The Australian Academy of the Humanities confirmed her death, stating it had learnt the news with “deep sadness”.

Australasian Women in Ancient World Studies said it was “shocked and saddened” by Professor Johnson’s death and remembered her as a “brilliant, kind and thoughtful” teacher whose scholarship helped shape generations of students and researchers.

Friends said the couple had recently moved to Greece with their three pet chihuahuas to build the life they had worked towards for years.

A GoFundMe set up to support their children, Kate and Jack, describes the family’s grief as “unimaginable heartbreak” after the “devastating loss of Leni and Marg”.

“Leni and Marg had worked their whole lives to build the retirement they had always dreamed of,” family friend Edyn Chapman wrote.

“They 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.”

Their daughter Kate had moved to Greece to continue her studies in Athens, while son Jack remained in Sydney.

Ms Chapman said the pair were now facing the “unimaginable loss of their two mums”.

Paying tribute, Ms Chapman described Leni as “a beautiful, outspoken, incredibly strong woman who had lived a life full of experience”.

“She was fiercely loyal, generous beyond measure, and would do absolutely anything for the people she loved,” Ms Chapman wrote.

“She 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.”

Of Marguerite, Ms Chapman said she had “the most calming presence”.

“No matter what you were worried about, she always had an answer, a story, or one of her famous old wives’ tales to help with an illness, a pain, or even an itch,” she said.

“She had a way of making everything feel just that little bit lighter. Her wisdom, kindness and gentle reassurance made everyone around her feel safe.”

Ms Chapman said the couple “made everyone feel welcome” and left a lasting mark on the people around them through their “kindness, humour and generosity”.