Jean Urbati Johnson

Jean Urbati Johnson passed away on November 2, 2025, in Fort Wayne, Indiana. She was born in Somerville, Massachusetts on June 25, 1931 to James Theodore Urbati and Mary Emelda Urbati. She moved to Ivoryton, Connecticut in 1940. She attended the University of Connecticut and married Hanford Johnson on December 27, 1952. She continued her education after the birth of her daughters, Kathy and Jill, completing her degree in Library Science at the University of Southern Connecticut.

Jean began teaching at Calvin Leete Elementary School in Guilford, Connecticut. She loved teaching, and she loved libraries. She retired from teaching when she was 68, and soon began volunteering at the Ivoryton Public Library. She volunteered and was employed by the library until the age of 88. She really did love libraries. She was a member of St. Mark’s Catholic Church in Westbrook, Connecticut. Jean enjoyed reading, old classic movies, and concerts; she held dear her family, extended family, and her many friends.

Jean was predeceased in death by her parents and her former husband and friend, Hanford A. Johnson of Ivoryton.

Jean is survived by her daughters, Kathryn LaPlatney (Jere LaPlatney) of Ivoryton, and Jill Ann Johnson of Fort Wayne; grandchildren, Jeannie (John Tritsch) LaPlatney of Framingham, Massachusetts, Kathryn de Luna of Smithsburg, Maryland, Patricia (Andrew) Clark of Baltic, Connecticut, Neil (Jessica) Myers, Andrea Myers, and Laura (Barry) Baughman, all of Fort Wayne. She is also survived by her great-grandchildren, Emily and Megan Loflin, Mia and Torin de Luna, Mackenzie and Landon Myers, and Donovan Myers.

Donations may be made in her memory to the Ivoryton Library Association, 106 Main Street, P.O. Box 515, Ivoryton, CT 06442.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.