Josephine J. Johnson

Josephine Jill Johnson, 90, of Norwich, passed away at Backus Hospital surrounded by her loving family and gained her wings soon after a prayer on October 22nd, 2026. Born September 30th, 1936 in Coventry, England to William and Mabel French. She always preferred to go by “Jill”, and was the best granny, wife, mother, and daughter her family could ever ask for.

She is now together again with the love of her life, Leslie L. Johnson, who she married on September 7th, 1957. Together they had three children, Wendy (stillborn), Karen and Hayley. Her four grandchildren, Jessie, Jake, Nick, and Tony, will also miss her dearly.

Jill was a loving soul who indulged in netball, synchronized swimming, and rock and roll dancing. She loved to read, garden, cook, and have Sunday meals with her family. She was a home health aid and caretaker for her family and devoted member of St Thomas’ Church of England before moving to America on October 21st, 1981. Her death was a day after being in America for 45 years, making her life spent equally between England and America. She never became a citizen as she believed in the saying - Long Live The Queen.

Jill was the best homemaker, and will forever be regarded as the master of making the best cup of tea to share with her company.

Les and Jill were married for 68 years before Les passed on November 28th, 2025. We are so happy they can be together again to celebrate their love for forever more. They were so in love and so devoted to each other their entire lives. They were a true force of love and understanding - nothing short of role models in the way they loved each other so much.

Jill is survived by her daughters Karen Musa and her husband Robert, and their two children Nicolas and Tony; and daughter Hayley Wagner and her fiancé, Dean Hunniford, and her two children, Jessica and Jake. She was preceded in death by her eight siblings. Being the youngest of nine, we’d like to think they saved the best for last.

Jill was devoted to her faith in God, and moved on this earth the same way as a saint or an angel. She was so pure and true, incomparable to anyone else we’ve ever known.

She regarded most things as “lovely” and would always assure you that things would work out. She would show gratitude and kindness to anyone who offered a smile. A natural born giver, she gave nothing but love to this world and her family, in addition to donating to dozens of charities to share her blessings with whoever she could - even dropping off bags of dog and cat food at the local pound.

Jill loved James Bond, Elvis, Tom Jones, Judge Judy, and The Price is Right. She loved her husband, Les, most of all. This year was her first year without him and we know it caused her much pain. We know Les and her beloved cat, Skip, welcomed her to the eternal kingdom to be loved and at peace forever.

Instead of flowers, we suggest making a donation to the Connecticut Humane Society to help animals in need in her honor.

Funeral Services will be held at Grace Episcopal Church in Yantic at 10am on Wednesday, October 28th. Burial will follow at Maplewood Cemetery in Norwich. Please visit www.churchandallen.com to leave a tribute or condolence.