Rita Mary Johnson
February 23, 1916 - April 11, 2007
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Rita Mary Johnson
February 23, 1916 - April 11, 2007
Obituary
Rita Mary Johnson , 91 , passed peacefully on April 11, 2007 in Mission Viejo. A resident of Orange County for over 30 years, she was best known for her love and encouragement toward her husband of 65 years, Walt Johnson, who was known as Mr. Neighborhood Watch in Fountain Valley.
While Rita always said she had ‘no claim to fame’, she was much loved and admired for her devotion to her family and friends. her door was always open, ready with cookies and tea, her time instantly available to any who needed an attentive ear, a place to stay, or a moment’s respite.
The youngest of five daughters, Rita was born in Youngstown, Ohio. She moved to California as a young girl with her family and lived in Los Angeles graduating from Manuel Arts High School. She and Walt relocated to Fountain Valley in 1972. Rita considered her role as a housewife to be the highest calling of a woman. She truly a Proverbs 31 woman, which says in part, ‘ Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all’
She is survived by her daughters, Marilyn Johnson and Patricia Perry; son-in-law Bill Perry; Future son-in-law Larry Nauman; grandchildren Jean Hartzler, Karen Hartman, Will Perry and John Perry; by her great-granchildren Matthew, Kyle, Codi, Cassidy and Annalina; by grandnieces, Nicole and Kelly; and by many Children-of-Heart.
4 responses to Rita Mary Johnson
Marilyn says:
April 16, 2007
Mama Rita
I may have been your 1st born, but know you had many CHILDREN OF HEART in your nieces, nephews, friends’ children, & my own friend’s who needed an ear. Sometimes it seemed we shared you with everyone — how lucky/blest we were. You taught us to share. You did it well. Love, 1st born, Me.
Ernest Velarde says:
April 18, 2007
I’m so sorry to hear about Rita.
Please accept my sincerest sympathy, but she is now again with Wally.
Ernie Velarde
Kristina Velarde says:
April 18, 2007
We will all miss Aunt Rita’s smiling and loving face, but will know that she is in peace and with Uncle Wally. My thoughts and prayers are with the family.
Love, Kristina
tommy due-l¿vaas pedersen says:
July 27, 2007
I haven’t seen Rita and her familiy since 1982 but every now and then my thoughts wander off to my trip to the US. I travelled with my grandmother and we were to visit our distant relatives. It was an exciting adventure for a young kid.
We stayed at Rita and Walters house and got the treat of a lifetime. They were kind, generous and always positive. They showed us all the things they were proud of, their failiy and took care of us in the absolute best way imaginable. I got lot of memories and they all contain good, warm feelings for all the Johnson familiy, specially Rita and Walter as they were the nearest to my grandmother, Kate.
I’m now sorry to learn that Rita passed away.
The memory of Rita lives on all the way over in Norway, in my head and in my heart togheter with all the other good memories from my visit with the Johnson family.
My deepest sympathy for your loss.
Tommy