Marie L. Johnson

Marie Rejeanne Lachance Johnson, 87, passed away peacefully the morning of September 1, 2009 at H.D. Goodall Hospital in Sanford, Maine.Her life began in Sanford, February 10, 1922 as the middle of seven children born to Edouard and Isola Rouillard Lachance. Through the years of The Depression the family found joy in each other, days at the beach, and many songs sung. Rejeanne, as she was known in her youth, was the first of her family to achieve a diploma, graduating from Sanford High School in June of 1941.After war broke out that December, Rejeanne left a job at the McLellan's Department Store to join the workforce at the South Portland Shipyard. In 1943 she and her only brother, "Tucky", enlisted in the U.S. Navy where she thereafterwas addressed by her given name of Marie.After the victorious end of World War II in 1946 Marie concluded her tour of duty with the rank of Lieutenant jg. Taking advantage of the G.I. Bill, she enrolled at Boson University, where she met her future husband, Urban A. Johnson, also a Sanford native and an Army war veteran.Upon achieving her degree, Marie retuned to Sanford and taught at Nasson College in Springvale until her marriage to Urbie in December of 1953.She spent the balance of her life in Springvale raising their four children and working for the Sanford School Department from 1976 until her retirement in 1988.Mrs. Johnson was an active member of many organizations and took great pleasure in the friendships made and trips taken. She loved to travel, see plays, listening to symphonies, meet with her sisters, lunch with her buddies, spend time doing anything with her treasured grand-daughter, shop with anyone, and talk about her children.She was treasurer for the York County Retired Teachers Association; president and treasurer for the 50 Plus Club, corresponding secretary for the H.D. Goodall Auxiliary, treasurer of the Searchlight Club, a member of the College Club, and a charter member of the WAVES International.She will be remembered for her soft heart and inquisitive mind, her appreciation for beauty, capacity for laughter, and her devotion to friends and family. The central core of her life was always her children and grandchildren in whom she took great pride and loved deeply.Her family extends special thanks to her beloved physician, Dr. Mukesh Bhargava and P.A. Kim Dubois, her friend and homecare companion, Linda Baker, as well as the aides she came to love as "her girls".Mrs. Johnson was predeceased by her husband, her parents, her sisters, Yvonne Poulin and Celine Hilton Fiel and her brother Edward "Tucky " Lachance. She is survived by her by her four loving children; daughters, Mrs. Tracy (Joan) Burke of Plymouth, Mrs. Thom (Judy) Wilson of North Berwick, Mrs. David (Jane) Hassan of Cohasset, Mass., her son John K. Johnson of Springvale, and grandchildren, Quinn and Jillian Marie Wilson of North Berwick. She is also survived by her sisters, Anita Watson, Theresa Laflamme and Beatrice Wormwood all of Sanford.A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday, September 12, 2009 at 11:00 am at the Holy Family Church of St. Therse of Lisieux Parish in Sanford with a celebration of her life immediately following at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 47 High Street, Sanford.Along with her husband, she will be buried with military honors at the Southern Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Springvale upon its completion.In lieu of flowers, those wishing may make a donation in her memory to the American Diabetes Association. To leave a condolence message for the family, please click on the Condolences tab at left.Arrangements are under the direction of the Carll-Heald & Black Funeral Home, 580 Main Street, Springvale.