Anne M Johnson

Anne Marie Johnson, age 90, of Tallahassee, Florida, passed away Wednesday, May 30, 2012, at Westminster Oaks Health Care Center. Her last days were attended to by loving family and caring Health Center and Big Bend Hospice staff.

Anne was born February 10, 1922 in Lowell, Massachusetts to Elie and Exilda Chaput. She was the middle child of five in a tight-knit family. She attended Catholic schools and graduated from business school in Lowell. Wanting to follow her brothers into military service at the on-set of World War II, Anne had to first overcome her fear of the dentist in order to pass the physical examination. She served with honor in the Women’s Army Corps, providing important clerical support for the war effort from England and France. Following, she worked at the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, in a senior secretarial role. Anne married Army veteran and Federal Government civil servant Edward “Eddie” N. Johnson in 1953. She was a world traveler with Eddie and their two young sons in the 1950s to such exotic places at the time as Iran and North Africa. Anne and family resided in Kensington and Rockville, Maryland, after their overseas travels.

Tallahassee became Anne’s home in 1968 after Eddie accepted directorship for the State of Florida’s archives and record management program. Anne fell in love with Tallahassee, and ever devoted to her family, thrived in the community with her love for the arts. She was an active supporter of LeMoyne Art Foundation, FSU’s music program, and the Tallahassee Little Theatre. She spoke French fluently and was a member of the Alliance Francaise. Also busy in the workplace, Anne provided her experienced secretarial skills to such firms as Tall Timbers Research and McKay & Associates. She was an active member of Blessed Sacrament Church. Following her husband’s passing in 1993, Anne resided at Westminster Oaks where she opened many new chapters in her life for friendships, travel, and cultural appreciation. She adored her grandchildren and was thankful for being able to have a role in their lives. Of strong Christian faith, generous, and compassionate, Anne was often referred to during her later years at Westminster Oaks as “the lady who gives hugs”.

Anne is survived by her son, Bruce Johnson and his wife Mary Gail of St. Louis; stepson, Edward Perry Johnson and his wife Diana of St. Louis; daughter-in-law, Erin Levin and her husband Alan of Tallahassee; sister-in-law, Grace Ratliff of Merritt Island; and grandchildren: Michelle Snyder of Barberton, Ohio; Benjamin Johnson of Seattle; Royce Johnson of St. Louis; and Edward “Edd” Johnson of Tallahassee. She is also survived by six great-grand children. She was preceded in death by her husband, Edward Johnson; son, Alan Johnson; parents, Elie and Exilda Chaput; brothers, Joseph Chaput and Edward “Pete” Chaput; and sisters, Theresa Germaine and Antoinette Goyer.

A graveside service will be held Saturday, June 23, 9:00 am, at Culley's MeadowWood, 700 Timberlane Road Tallahassee, FL 32312 (850-893-4177), and a Memorial service will be provided at 11:00 am of the same day at Westminster Oaks Maguire Center, 4449 Meandering Way, Tallahassee, FL 32308 (850-878-1136). A reception will follow at Westminster Oaks Maguire Center to celebrate Anne’s life.

Anne’s life was a rich one fulfilled through service. We miss her greatly and are thankful for the loving legacy she etched upon our lives. The family suggests that those wishing to offer memorial to Anne, contribute to one of the following charities, or perhaps just give someone a hug that needs one: Fisher Center for Alzheimer’s Research Foundation (www.alzinfo.org); Catholic Relief Services (www.crs.org); Big Bend Hospice of Tallahassee, Florida, (www.bigbendhospice.org).

”His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.” - Matthew 25:23

Arrangements are under the direction of Culley's MeadowWood Funeral Home in Tallahassee, Florida.