Mary T. Johnson, 87

Mary T. Johnson of Bridgton, last living family member of her generation and an 11th generation Maine native, passed away after a long illness in the early morning hours of July 1, 2013. She was 87 years old.

Mrs. Johnson was born June 25, 1926 in Paris, to Cyrus Willard and Josephine Roy Twitchell. She was taught in a one-room schoolhouse in elementary grades, and she graduated from Paris High School. She subsequently graduated from the Mercy Hospital School of Nursing in Portland, as a registered nurse, completing her residency at Concord State Hospital in Concord, N.H.

She married Donald Melvin Johnson in 1948 and subsequently had three children. Mr. Johnson worked for Rand Corporation and after serving at the Topsham Naval Air Station and for NORAD in North Bay, Ontario, they relocated to Washington, D.C. During this time, Mary oversaw the upbringing of their three children and was a helpmate to her husband in home life and entertaining. After a change in presidential administrations in 1968, they relocated to Southampton, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, where her interests in American antiques and history blossomed.

Retiring to Maine in 1970, Mrs. Johnson resumed her long-dormant career in nursing, subsequently achieving head nurse status at Northern Cumberland Memorial Hospital (now Bridgton Hospital) in Bridgton, a position she held until the mid-1980s.

She and her husband were instrumental in rescuing from demolition by moving the historic Reverend Nathan Church House in Bridgton, which is now part of the Rufus Porter Museum.

She is predeceased by her husband Donald; a brother, Gerald; and a sister, Anita, along with numerous in-laws and cousins.

Mary is survived by a step-sister, Marie Clarke of Charlotte, N.C.; her three children, daughter Marcia Greason of Windham and Margate, Fla.; sons Thomas of Portland and Eric of Bridgton; two grandchildren and a great-grandchild; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Online condolences may be shared with her family at www.chandlerfunerals.com

Services will be private. Arrangements are under the care of Chandler Funeral Homes & Cremation Service, 8 Elm Street, Bridgton.

Those wishing to do so may make memorial gifts in Mary’s name to the Rufus Porter Museum, Bridgton, ME or Windsor II Unit, Gorham House, Gorham, ME.