Margaret M (Yanchocik) Johnson, 85, of Gales Ferry, wife of the late Charles K. Johnson, returned to the arms of her beloved husband on Valentine’s Day, February 14, 2025.
Marge was born on June 24, 1939 in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania to Susan Margaret Yanchocik. She moved to Sioux Falls, South Dakota as a young woman, where she met her lifelong friend Carolyn (Johnson) Vallette, who later introduced her to her cousin, a young farm boy and aspiring US Naval Submariner named Chuck. They wrote letters to one another during courtship and got engaged when he returned to South Dakota. She and Chuck were married on March 24,1963, at Augustana Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls. Marge was a devoted Navy wife whose family lived in New York, Hawaii, and California before being stationed in Connecticut, where they made their lifelong home, and raised their two boys. Once the boys were in school, Marge worked at Vality and Canteen, at Electric Boat. She was also proud of the fact that she returned to school to get her GED.
Marge will be remembered as a loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, whose greatest joy and legacy was her family. If there was a family gathering, you could count on her to bring a dessert. Her carrot cake was an all time favorite. She traveled extensively with her husband and enjoyed cruising most of all. Marge was an avid reader, devouring books in recent years. After Chuck passed away, she enjoyed spending her Wednesday afternoons with the St Luke picnic group, and her Sunday afternoons cheering on Patrick Mahomes and her Chiefs.
Marge is survived by sons Chawn, and wife Charlene Johnson, Michael and wife Katie Johnson; grandchildren, Taylor and Joshua Torchia, Caile, Olivia and Charlotte Johnson; great-grandchildren, Milo and August Torchia; as well as several nieces and nephews. She also leaves behind a sister, Mary Harmon. She was predeceased by her husband Chuck on October 13, 2022.
There will be a Celebration of Life at 2:00 Friday, Feb. 21 at St. Luke Lutheran Church, 1830 CT-12, Gales Ferry. This will be followed by a burial at Avery-Stoddard Cemetery, and a reception at St. Luke. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Marge’s name to St. Luke Lutheran Church, where she had been a member since 1968.