Charlotte S. Johnson, 97, of the Briarwood Retirement Community, formerly of 49 Ideal Road, passed away peacefully on Sunday, August 28, 2011. She was married to the late Russell W. Johnson for 68 years. She was born in Worcester, the daughter of John and Marion (Davis) Hoyt. She was predeceased by her sister, Marion Rayner, and two brothers, Jack and Dan Hoyt. She leaves a daughter, Pauline and her husband Melvin Stephens of Concord; a son Leslie of Millbury; a son Donald and his wife Joyce of Acton; a son Andy and his wife Debra of Simsbury, CT; and a son Alan and his wife Dorothy of Titusville, NJ. She also leaves 13 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.
She attended North High School and graduated from Worcester State College in 1935. After graduation, her college sorority met monthly for many years, and she maintained lifelong friendships with these classmates. As a young girl, she was active in the Girl Scouts of America and continued to attend reunions of her scout troop over the years. Trained as an elementary school teacher, she taught 5th grade in Salisbury, MA for two years, before marrying and raising five children. Home and family always came first, but she put her teacher training to good use by being a den mother when her sons reached Cub Scout age and by serving in the Literacy Volunteers of America organization. She attended Trinity Lutheran Church for over 50 years and was an active participant in the Women's Circle there. Her hobbies included knitting and crocheting, and her grandchildren were often the recipients of her lovely handiwork. She became an expert seamstress and took quilting lessons later in life, producing intricately hand-stitched quilts which decorated her beds. Cooking holiday meals for her extended family gave her great pleasure, and she continued to do so into her early eighties. She also enjoyed reading, traveling with her family to Cape Cod and other locations, and watching Boston Red Sox games.
Calling hours will be held on Friday, September 2, from 6-8 p.m. at Nordgren Memorial Chapel, 300 Lincoln Street. The funeral service will be held at the funeral home on Saturday, Sept. 3, at 9:30 a.m. Burial will follow in All Faiths Cemetery. Please omit flowers. Memorial contributions may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church, 73 Lancaster St., Worcester MA 01609.
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