Anna Bernadena Johnson

Dena Johnson passed away peacefully from complications due to the Covid-19 virus at the age of 94. She was born on the island of Saba, Dutch Caribbean to Eert Joseph Sloterdijk (Friesland, Netherlands) and Orie Hassell Sloterdijk (Saba).

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Arthur Chester Johnson and cherished young son Vernon Andrew Johnson; sisters Stella Richardson (Ft. Myers, Florida), and Stephanie (Stephie) Croft (Parkersburg, West Virginia); and brothers Edward A. (Eddie) Sloterdijk (Pasadena, Texas), John Arlie Sloterdijk (Coral Gables, Florida), and Louis (Luddie) Sloterdike (Missouri). She is survived by one older brother, Pieter Bernard (Bennie) Sloterdijk in Aruba.

Dena is survived by her 6 children, Rod Johnson and wife Pam (Lake Forest, Illinois), Maureen Maloney and husband Sean (Seabrook, TX), Valerie Gootee and husband Ray (Plantersville,TX), Kathy Hassell and husband Steve (Saba, Dutch Caribbean), Greg and wife Cheri (Corinth, TX) and Henry and wife Mary (Houston, TX). She leaves behind 7 grandchildren, Joey Crocker (Lake Jackson, TX), Jeff Crocker (Houston, TX), Richard Donham (Deer Park, TX), Christina Hassell Martinez (Cave Creek, AZ), Laura Hassell Boatswain (Saba), Brittany Johnson Bartosh (Fox Chapel, PA), Kathryn Johnson Fitzgerald (Winnetka, IL). She is also survived by 10 great grandchildren, Logan Crocker, Avery Crocker, Regan Bornheim Donham, Hayden Donham, Braeden Donham, Connor Boatswain, Caroline Bartosh, Jack Bartosh, Molly Bartosh, and Graham Fitzgerald. She will also be remembered by numerous loving nieces and nephews and their families, as well as relatives and friends of the family.

Dena loved her Saba island homeland and always longed to be there. But she embraced her new home in Aruba when her family moved there in 1937. It was already filled with family and friends who had moved there for work. She became an extremely proficient secretary and worked for Lago Oil, the largest oil refinery in the world at that time. She was fluent in English, Dutch, Papiamento (local dialect) and Spanish. .During her career she worked in their Personnel, Benefits, and Safety departments. In Aruba she met her husband, Chester Johnson, who was also from Saba and worked at Lago. They married on November 24, 1948 at St. Theresa’s Catholic Church in San Nicolas Aruba and began their family. Their first four children, Rod, Maureen, Valerie, and Kathy were born in Aruba. But Dena & Chester wanted more for their children and immigrated first to Long Island, New York and shortly afterward to Pasadena,TX in 1956 where Chester went to work for Crown Central Petroleum. Three other children (Greg, Vernon and Henry) were born and their household, although hectic, was filled with love. They became US citizens in 1968, an accomplishment of pride and commitment. Dreams for their children came true as each were successful in their careers and their families grew.

Dena and Chester were devoted followers of the Catholic faith. Every Sunday they loaded up all the kids in the ’57 Chevy station wagon to go to Mass. Dena’s beautiful soprano voice could be heard in the church choir and at the weddings of her children, grandchildren, and friends as she sang the Ave Maria. She lives on in the hearts of all whose lives she touched, even as she resides in her heavenly home.