Christine Allen Johnson

Christine (Cookie) Allen Johnson, 80, of Orlando, Florida and previously of Crofton, Maryland passed away unexpectedly on September 1, 2021. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Leonard (Lenny) Allen Johnson, Jr. She is survived by her adoring children, son John Gaines (Kelly) and daughters Allison Gaines (Daniel) and Kristen Bell (Rob). She is also survived by her grandchildren Madison, John and Ryan; her sister, Patricia Campbell (Bill) and brothers Steve Collins (Jackie) and Michael Collins; many cousins, nieces and nephews and friends who loved her dearly.

Cookie was born on August 26, 1941 in Washington, D.C. to Marguerite (Micki) Collins and Ralph Earl Collins. Growing up, Cookie was very involved in the community and the fire department. Cookie was the majorette leader for the Landover Hills Fire Department and was crowned Miss Landover Hills. She was also avidly involved in tap, ballet and dance. She later graduated in 1959 from The Academy of Notre Dame in Washington, D.C. along with her best friends and sorority sisters Joan, Jean, Tish, Joyce, Maureen and Jenny, all of whom she maintained lasting friendships throughout the years. After graduating, Cookie went to work at Providence Hospital in Washington, D.C. She spent several years at Providence and then left her job to start a family. Cookie loved motherhood and remained a stay at home mom for many years to raise her three children. She loved being involved in her children’s lives and enjoyed coaching many of their sports teams, driving school carpool and taking her kids on many adventures and vacations. She was also very involved in the local community and was a member of the Board of Directors for the Harbor Hills Yacht Club, was a founder and director of the Harbor Hills community teen club and was one of the founders of the Davidsonville cheerleading team. After her children were grown, she returned to the medical field and had a very fulfilling and lengthy career working alongside many amazing doctors, nurses and staff who became like family to her. She retired in 2019 and moved to Florida to enjoy the beautiful weather and spend more time with her grandchildren.

Cookie loved life and loved people. She treated everyone she met like they were part of her family. Her children, her family and her friends were the most important part of her life. She always took the time to check in often with her many friends and her extended family. Her Catholic faith and being involved in her church were also very important to her. Cookie’s faith and positive spirit guided her daily throughout her life.

Cookie had a passion for gardening. She loved to spend time working in her yard and tending to her many flowers. She loved the beauty of flowers and the joy they brought her. She enjoyed being outside and loved to watch the sunset. She also loved to go shopping, going to lunch with friends, reading her magazines and baking her famous chocolate chip cookies.

Everyone that was blessed to know Cookie knew that there was nothing that could hold her back or hold her down. She was a warrior who was incredibly vibrant, full of energy and full of life. The bond she had with her children, family and friends will never be replaced. She truly was a very special person and a one of a kind amazing woman who was loved and cherished by so many people. We will all miss her dearly.

The family is planning a Celebration of Life Mass on Friday, October 8, 2021 at 11:00am at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, 1800 Seton Drive, Crofton, Maryland. All are invited to attend the Mass and a reception immediately following Mass at the Church Hall. Memorial contributions can be made to the SPCA of Anne Arundel County at www.aacspca.org or to the Little Sisters of the Poor at www.littlesistersofthepoorwashingtondc.org/donations.