Carolyn Edna Johnson

Carolyn was born in 1942 and grew up in the Juniata section of Philadelphia, later moving to Cheltenham, PA. She graduated from Cheltenham High School in 1960 and went on to a secretarial job at the Philco Corporation. Carolyn married Richard Widdop in 1962 and made a smooth transition to homemaker and mother in Northeast Philadelphia, raising two daughters before remarrying Dave Johnson in 1988.

Carolyn worked as an industrial seamstress in the 1970’s, making covers for boats and other canvas boating accessories. She went on to work as a medical secretary for many years at Harbison Avenue Medical Center, before retiring and eventually moving to The Villages, FL with her husband. Carolyn enjoyed gardening, reading, and celebrating all of life’s milestones with her loving family. Carolyn relocated back to Philadelphia in 2022, where she enjoyed frequent family visits and joking with the staff who lovingly cared for her at Deer Meadows Retirement Community in Northeast Philadelphia.

She is survived by her two devoted daughters Linda Widdop (Connie Chronister) and Diane Widdop (Barbara Nevin), two stepdaughters Debbie McGrath and Kim Campbell (Robert), and stepson Jim Johnson (Marci), in addition to four grandchildren, Meaghan Berardi (Luigi), Brendan McGrath, Skylar Johnson and Kyle Johnson.

Carolyn is predeceased by her mother Lillian Held Atkins, father Norman Atkins, brother Richard Atkins, and husband J. David Johnson.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made, if you wish, in Carolyn Johnson’s honor to the following charities: Pegasus Therapeutic Riding Academy (https://www.pegasusridingacademy.com) and Bird Safe Philly via the Delaware Valley Ornithological Club (https://dvoc.org/about/donating-to-the-dvoc).

Family and friends are invited to a celebration of Carolyn’s life in the way she would have wanted – a happy hour at Maggie’s Waterfront Café, 9242 N. Delaware Ave, Phila, PA 19114, on Tuesday, July 29th from 5:00 – 8:00 PM.