Mary Louise Johnson

Mary Louise Mahoney-Johnson was born one of five children on September 7, 1927 in Mansfield, Ohio to Mary Emsley and Frank B Mahoney. Her father, Vice President of the Standard Ceramics Corporation and a well-respected businessman, relocated his family to Pittsburg, PA. Mary Louise attended high school and college there and later attended Mary Mount College in Washington, DC for her master’s degree in Social Work in 1950. It was while in Washington, on a blind date, she met her future husband, a graduate of the United States Naval Academy (Annapolis) Commander Albert Bruce Johnson. He was serving as a Supply Corp Officer at the Naval gun factory, having participated on carriers in the Pacific during WW II. A glamorous whirlwind courtship, in Washington DC and being a military officer’s wife appeared much more exciting than being a social worker. So they married, had two children DOUGLAS and PATRICIA, and went on to be stationed in Lisbon Portugal for two years from 1957 – 1959. Bruce retired and the family moved to Pensacola, where as a child, was raised by Genevieve Watson-Johnson (Bruce Dry Dock Company 1921) and Thomas A Johnson ( Head of the State Road Department under Spessard Holland). A home was purchased in East Hill in 1960 and the family settled in with the children attending Sacred Heart School. Mary Louise was asked to teach the fifth grade at Sacred Heart School by Sister Marie Peter in 1962 and taught there for many years. Sacred Heart School from 1960-1969 was a phenomenal environment of learning; fostering music and art under the direction of the Catholic nuns and lay teachers. Bruce went on to become an Economics Professor for many years at UWF. Mary Louise left Sacred Heart to teach at Spencer Bibbs Elementary School, driving a 1957 Mercedes Benz, that became well recognized by the neighborhood children she taught. She retired in 1987 and welcomed many years of joy as a grandmother to JULIA CULHANE. Later she resided in Bagdad, FL near her daughter, attending Mass at St Rose of Lima. She was of an extraordinary generation, The Greatest Generation, tough and tender, grounded, handling with grace and circumstance, humbly and stoically serving in whatever capacity was wanted and needed; whether wife, daughter, mother or teacher. Always the snappy dresser she remained cheerfully beautiful even in her declining years and death.

Her presence will be greatly missed. Mass intentions can be made on her behalf at the Sacred Heart Cathedral Office. (850) 438-3131.

Arrangements under the direction of National Cremation & Burial Society, Milton, FL.