Nancy M. Johnson
JOHNSON, Nancy M., 89, Dover-Foxcroft, December 21, 2015. Arrangements are in the care of the Lary Funeral Home, Dover-Foxcroft.
DOVER-FOXCROFT – Our Mom, Nancy M. Johnson, passed away peacefully on December 21, 2015, in Dover-Foxcroft, where she has lived since 2014. Nancy was born on November 11, 1926, in Winchester, CT, to Lloyd and Jenny Minard.
She was raised in Sheffield, MA, moving to Providence, RI, to attend the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) where she graduated in 1948. There she met and married our dad, Wallace (“Johnny”) E. Johnson of Fitchburg, MA. Together they raised six children mainly in Tewksbury, MA. In 1973, Nancy and Johnny moved with their two youngest children to St. Michaels, AZ, and then moved on to Albuquerque, NM.
Widowed early in life when Johnny passed away suddenly in 1974, Mom had two teenagers at home and two in college. Suddenly a single parent and sole breadwinner, she turned to her designing talents and her bridal store, My Friends on Route 66 which was once featured in Family Circle magazine. Mom worked in fashion design for the majority of her adult life, saying often that it was her job to “make other people beautiful.” In Albuquerque, she lived at Greenbriar Townhouses and continued to work while also active in her church and volunteering for many years at St. Martins serving the homeless. In 2002, she moved to Virginia Beach, VA, enjoying many years at Lake Christopher with daughter, Betsy and family.
Nancy is survived by her daughter, Susan and son-in-law, Fred Andrews of Dover-Foxcroft, ME; son, David and daughter-in-law, Marie Johnson of Clarksburg, MA; daughter, Betsy and son-in-law, Brad Douglass of Galax, VA; daughter, Kathy and son-in-law, Vince Hopkins of Albu-querque, NM; daughter-in-law, Linda Dashnaw and her husband, Don of Southbridge, MA; and a dear friend, Gaye Roth from Albuquerque. NM. Nancy was very proud of her 21 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren and had albums of their pictures that she looked at often. She was preceded in death by two sons, Peter and Mark; and son-in-law, Scott Cassidy.
Known for her eye for detail, Mom believed that the inside of the garment should look just as good as the outside. This is how she lived her life and the legacy she leaves for us all.
The family wishes to thank Mom’s caregivers who surrounded her with love, humor and excellent care, making her feel special every day. Special thanks to Kristine, Wendy, Cheryl, Marylin, Layla, Kim, Andrea, Heather, Cindy, Jantha and Tanya at Hibbard’s Nursing Home; her Pine Tree Hospice volunteers Rita, Helen and Doris; and Community Health and Counseling Services hospice staff especially Marcia, Jeannette and Gail. We also sincerely thank Dr. Lesley Fernow for her compassionate care for Mom.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that her memory live on in your hearts and your lives through service to others in your communities. Donations in her memory may be made to Pine Tree Hospice, 883 West Main Street, Dover-Foxcroft, ME 04426. Memories and condolences may be expressed at www.laryfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are in the care of Lary Funeral Home, Dover-Foxcroft, ME.