Obituary of Wilma E. Johnson

WILMA E. JOHNSON, 86, wife of the late Arthur F. Johnson, passed away December 29, 2009 peacefully at her home in Thorndike as she wished. Wilma was born in Jackson on June 2, 1923, daughter of William H. and Bertha (Flannery) Amsden. Wilma and Arthur lived in Thorndike for over 60 years and celebrated their 50th anniversary in 1993. Wilma was a homemaker who worked in Brooks and Freedom in the cannery factories. She and her husband ran a greenhouse for more than 25 years. Wilma enjoyed gardening, flowers, crafts and sewing, making lap robes, diddy bags and table favors for the Veterans Home in Togus. Wilma served her town as a school board director, town clerk, chairman of the Republican Party and was serving as the current Vice Chair. She was also a member of the Jackson Congregational Church where she served as a deacon. Wilma also was a member of the VFW #3108 of Belfast. She was presented with a lifetime membership card and pin from the Benjamin-Berry Post #50 American Legion Auxiliary which was among her proudest accomplishments. She received her 60 year pin from the Auxiliary in 2008. Wilma first joined the Grant Staples Unit #183 in Brooks. She received the Distinguished Service Award presented to her by the late Dan Lambert in 1974. In this Department, she served as 4th District President (1963), Department Historian (1968), served at Girl’s State as a counselor for 11 years, President of the Grant Staples Auxiliary and was a President of Waldo County Council. Wilma was also a member of the Royal #92 Rebekahs of Monroe and received the Decoration of Chivalry in 2001. She was also a member of the Monroe Extension, the Tri County Button Club, Troy Senior Citizens, Thorndike Fire Department Auxiliary and the Red Hat Society. Wilma was predeceased by her parents and three sisters, Beulah Ward, Helen Gill and Nina Marriner and a very precious granddaughter, Trisha Johnson of Thorndike. Wilma is survived by her sister Eleanor Bennett of Waldo and Wilma’s devoted children and their wives, Richard and Dorothy Johnson of Jackson, William and Linda Johnson of Thorndike; her beloved grandchildren, Tanya and Everett Williams of Jackson, Gene and Tammy Johnson of Jackson, Jason and Heidi Johnson of Unity, Julie and John Evenson of Portage, Alaska, Travis and Patty Johnson of Thorndike, Heidi and Joe Danna of Jackson, Holly and Ray St. Onge of Jackson, Wayne Johnson of Rockland, Tobey Johnson of Rockland, Brian, Aaliyah and Jenna Johnson of Thorndike; great-grandchildren, Natasha and Caleb Johnson of Jackson, Arthur, Audrey and Arika Williams and Armia Curtis of Jackson, Mert and Joey Danna of Jackson, Sam and Anna St. Onge of Jackson, Alyson Johnson of Thorndike, Melissa Saucier of Berwick and great-great-granddaughter, Lilly Ann Tripp of Berwick. She was also survived by her extended family members, Carol Johnson and Skip Philbrick of Brooks. Friends and family may call from 2-4 Thursday, December 31st at Crabiel-Riposta Funeral Home, 182 Waldo Avenue, Belfast where funeral service will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. with Liz Sullivan officiating. Interment will follow at Jackson Corner Cemetery. On-line condolences may be placed at www.crabielripostafuneralhome.com.