JOHNSON, Helen (Bracken) age 90, of Wellesley, MA beloved wife of 47 years of the late Gerald M. Johnson, passed away on Monday, April 28, 2014 at home, surrounded by family.
Helen was born and raised in Brookline, MA graduated from Radcliffe College in 1945, and received her Masters in Social Work from Boston University. Her caring nature and loving way with people endeared her to everyone, as she used these skills throughout her career as a psychiatric case worker at the Mental Hygiene Clinic in Boston helping war veterans, and later as Director of Social Services at Weston Manor, Weston.
An English major at Radcliffe, Helen remained an avid reader and active member of the Radcliffe College Club, frequently serving as class secretary. Music played a large part in Helen's life, from her high school days playing the lead in the operetta "Kaarina", singing soprano in the Radcliffe Glee Club, member as well as former President of Wellesley Choral Society and often singing solos in the select female group, "The Wellesley Squares". Friends and family would often enjoy evenings singing around the piano while Helen both played and sang. She passed on her love of music to all five children and twelve grandchildren.
Helen had the uncanny ability to make every person she met feel special. She appreciated the best in everyone and always put the needs of others before her own.
She will be missed by her five children and their spouses: daughter Trish and husband Jay DeMallie of Chatham, NJ, son Gerry Johnson and late wife, Terry of Maui, Hawaii, son Tom and wife Maureen Johnson of Weston, MA, daughter Mary Liz and husband Tim Van Dyck of Wellesley and son Rob and wife Julie Johnson, also of Wellesley.
Helen adored her twelve grandchildren: Katie and Diana DeMallie, Chad Johnson, Whitney Schroeder and husband, Buck, Christine, Thomas and Molly Johnson, Christian and Grace Van Dyck, and Scott, Jack and Chris Johnson. They will cherish her many life lessons, especially her signature phrase of encouragement, "The world is yours!".
Friends and family kindly invited to visiting hours at the George F. Doherty & Sons Funeral Home, 477 Washington St., (Rt.16) WELLESLEY, Friday, May 2 from 4-7 pm and on Saturday, May 3 at 9 am followed by a Funeral Mass in St. John the Evangelist Church, Wellesley Hills at 10 am. Friends and family are invited to a reception at St. John's immediately following the funeral service. Interment Holy Cross Cemetery, Malden. Memorial contributions can be made in Helen's memory to Perkins School for the Blind, 175 North Beacon Street, Watertown, MA 02472 or via www.perkins.org.