Viola C. Johnson

Viola C. Johnson, 87, of Marathon, NY, passed away on Tuesday, June 18, 2013, at the Cortland Regional Nursing Facility, while surrounded by her family.

Mrs. Johnson was born in Cortland, NY on January 20, 1926, a daughter of the late Wilson and Joanna (Hall) Culver.  A 1943 graduate of Marathon Central School, she then attended nursing school at Binghamton General Hospital where she received her R.N. diploma in 1946.  She worked at Cortland Memorial Hospital, Brewer-Titchenor in Cortland, and ended her career as Appleby Elementary’s first school nurse, retiring in 1989.  She married William H. Johnson, Jr. and together they shared 63 years.  Before her retirement, she was active in the United Presbyterian Church of Marathon, where she served as a deacon.  She was a 66-year member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Marathon Chapter 101, and had served as Past Matron and Past District Deputy Matron.  In her earlier years, she was also a member of the Art and Literature Club in Marathon.  For 23 years, she and her husband enjoyed a happy retirement in Bradenton, FL.  In her spare time, she enjoyed playing golf and was an avid reader.

She is survived by her daughters, Kathleen (Doug) Matson and Joann (Randy) Ensign; a daughter-in-law, Donna Johnson; her grandchildren, Lara Matson DeSantis, Hilary Matson Trevenen, and Megan Matson, Carrie Ensign Newkirk, Nicholas and Joshua Ensign, and Abram Johnson.  She also leaves behind her great-grandchildren, Conor DeSantis, Jack and Emory Trevenen, Catherine, Riley, and Garrett Newkirk, Tanner, Trentin, and Ellery Ensign, Abigail, Audrey, Addison, and Gunner Ensign, Ethan and Owen Johnson; and her sister, Patricia Whited.

In addition to her parents, she was also predeceased by her husband, William H. Johnson, Jr., on September 20, 2010; a son, Jeffrey Johnson, on October 31, 2010; a grandson, Nathan Ensign on July 8, 2007; and brothers, Russell and Elliott Culver.

A memorial service will be held at the Marathon United Methodist Church on Saturday, June 22, 2013, at 2:00 p.m. with Reverend Douglas Hatch officiating.  The family will be present to receive friends at the church on Saturday from noon until the start of the service at 2:00 p.m.  Expressions of sympathy in memory of Mrs. Johnson may be directed to the Nathan Ensign Scholarship Fund, Marathon Central School, P.O. Box 339, Marathon, NY 13803 or the OES Marathon Chapter 101, c/o Donna Barrows, P.O. Box 62, Killawog, NY 13794.