Mary Johnson

Mary Patricia Johnson (Mary Pat), 86, passed away quietly on June 9, 2020 at

home with family. For five years, she met the challenges of strokes and

vascular dementia. She was born in Lakehurst, New Jersey to Beatrice Rahilly

Donohue and Bartholomew Donohue Jr. on October 19, 1933. She was the oldest

of three children with two brothers, Bartholomew III and John Donohue, who

both predeceased her.

Mary Pat attended St. Joseph Elementary School in Toms River, New Jersey and

then on to high school at Lakewood High School. She completed college in

three years at Georgian Court College with a degree in education. Then she

began a 32 year career as a teacher, media specialist, supervisor of curriculum

and finally school superintendent of Lakehurst Elementary School.

Throughout her career, she was challenged to grow children's minds in her

community as well as her own. She had multiple certificates as well as a

Master’s Degree from Georgian Court College. After a year of retirement, she

could not stay home and returned to work in the library of St. Mary’s

Elementary School in Medford, New Jersey for ten more years. She loved being

in school with the children.

Mary Pat married Richard Johnson Sr., her high school sweetheart, in

November 1956. He was the football player and she was the cheerleader.

Together, they built a family with two children; Patricia Johnson (Edward

Robbins) and Richard Johnson Jr (Jeanne Johnson). She was blessed to have

grandchildren: Richard “Trey” and Raymond Johnson and Lucas, Jacob

(deceased), and Gabrielle Mobley. She loved all of them and enjoyed seeing

them even via FaceTime. She also has a special niece, Kathleen Donohue, and

three nephews, Bartholomew IV, John and Michael Donohue. Family was

always important to Mary Pat- making sure there were family dinners,

presents for everyone at Christmas and visits when they were around. She

always had chocolate chip cookies (hopefully warm) ready for visitors.

Relocating to the Eastern shore of Maryland in 2005, allowed Mary Pat and

Dick to start a new part of life, closer to grandchildren. She attended Our Lady

of Good Counsel and then St. Mary’s Refuge of Sinners Catholic Church. She

became an active member of the St. Vincent DePaul Society finding joy in

helping organize and provide assistance to others.

There were so many good times in her life and she made a difference in the

lives of others through her kindness. Over the past five years, others helped

her live at home. Faithfully bringing communion, Joe Schultes, gave her

spiritual support. Caregivers Angelle, Lisa, Heather, Jennifer, Nancy and Cindy

made her days the best they could be. Her friend and caregiver, Betty, stayed

by her side for 8 years. Her two long-time friends, Kathy Placek and Pat

Donohue were faithful.

When she was called, she was ready to see the Lord and Dick for eternal peace

and rest.

A private service will be held at Newcomb and Collins Funeral Home in

Cambridge, Maryland with Rev. Bruce Byrolly officiating. She will be buried at St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery in

Toms River, New Jersey with her family.  Graveside funeral service will be held on Thursday, June 18, 2020 beginning 12:00 noon.

In lieu of flowers, Mary Pat’s family requests financial or pantry donations to

St. Vincent DePaul at St. Mary’s Refuge of Sinners , 2000 Hambrooks Blvd., Cambridge, Maryland 21613 in her memory.

To share online condolences with the family, please visit www.newcombcollins.com