Anita T. Johnson

ANITA THERSIETA JOHNSON (HANN) passed away peacefully on June 27, 2025 at the age of 89 of natural causes. She was surrounded by her family enjoying life until her final moments. She is survived by her son, Shawn Johnson, daughter-in-law, Sharon Johnson of Winchester, Massachusetts, and grandchildren, Natalie Johnson of New York City, New York, Quinn Johnson of Boston, Massachusetts and Hope Johnson of Cambridge, Massachusetts; son, Quin Johnson of Jupiter, Florida; daughter, Karla Bennett (Johnson), son-in-law, James Bennett of Hershey, Pennsylvania and grandchildren, Owen Bennett of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Sean Bennett and Matilda Bennett both of Hershey, Pennsylvania; sister, Molly McGrath; brother, Fr. Michael Hann; brother, Kenneth Hann and sister-in-law Ann Marie Hann, all of St. John’s, Newfoundland, Canada; sister Tryphena Fasick and brother-in-law Jack Fasick; sister Bernice Lindsay and brother-in-law Stanley Lindsay, all of State College, Pennsylvania; sister Rita Wallace and brother-in-law Blake Wallace of Collingwood, Ontario, Canada; and sister-in-law Ruth Johnson of Dayton, Ohio; and a host of loving nieces and nephews and extended family and friends.

Born on September 14, 1935 in Port Royal on Long Island in Placentia Bay, Newfoundland, she spent her first 16 years on the island before moving to the town of Freshwater on the mainland. While working at the U.S. Navy Base Exchange in Argentia, Newfoundland, she met and married then Lt.(j.g.) Millard J. Johnson, U.S.N. on December 31, 1955.

Returning with her new husband to the U.S., Anita eventually moved her family of four children throughout the U.S. more than two dozen times. While her husband focused on serving his country, Anita became the consummate military spouse and devoted wife and mother. She experienced extended periods away from her husband while he was at sea, such as during the Vietnam War, but found joy in her family and other military spouses and families in many locations around the U.S. She was deeply committed to her Catholic upbringing and faith, and it guided her daily life.

She was extensively involved in the Navy Wives Club, churches and numerous non-profit organizations everywhere she lived. She led the fundraising campaign to open a children’s library on the Navy base in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania and was a member of Nativity Parish in Burke, Virginia where she started the church nursery and helped in the launch of the original construction of the current Nativity Parish building. She loved supporting her brother Fr. Michael Hann’s missionary work in Haiti and hosted many of the missionary priests in her home over the years. She loved to knit and enjoyed sharing her talent with others, donating hundreds of scarves to healthcare workers, families in need and local charities. She was a gifted singer and enjoyed music of all kinds, particularly the ballads and dance songs of her beloved Newfoundland. She was absolutely devoted to her six grandchildren.

She was dedicated to assisting military families during and following her husband’s lengthy military career. She became an expert at purchasing and selling homes every time she moved her own family. Later in life she easily obtained her real estate license and became a multi-million-dollar award-winning realtor in her first year and many years thereafter. She prided herself on finding families their first home, particularly those families serving in the military.

She was predeceased by her husband Rear Admiral Millard J. Johnson, U.S.N., her son Barry Johnson, her sister Lena McCarthy (Hann), her brother Norbert Hann, her sister Annie Brown (Hann), her brother Jack Hann, her sister Bertha Vaters Hansen (Hann), and her parents Denis Hann and Matilda Hann (Masters).

Anita's remains will be buried alongside her husband in Arlington National Cemetery. Due to the delay involved in burials at Arlington National Cemetery, funeral arrangements will be announced by the family at a future date.

The family requests that those persons interested in sending flowers consider instead making a donation in Anita Johnson's memory to one of the following charitable organizations:

Missionhurst CICM

4651 25th Street North

Arlington, VA 22207

https://www.missionhurst.org/donation

Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society

Attn: Development Department

875 N Randolph St, Suite 225

Arlington, VA 22203

https://www.nmcrs.org