On October 7, 2016, after a long battle with breast cancer, Bunny Johnson passed away at William Childs Hospice House in Palm Bay, Florida. She passed away as hurricane Matthew left our city and continued up the coast. She was 91 years old.
Elizabeth Claire "Bunny" Johnson was born on November 24, 1924 in Paterson, New Jersey, one of four children. She was of the Presbyterian faith. She grew up in Midland Park and Allendale, and was very proud of her Jersey roots. Her greatest childhood memories were of playing in the brook and birch trees behind her house with her first friend, Becky Smith, who remained her friend for life. She attended Pompton Lakes High School, where she loved playing the clarinet in the band, and hoped to someday play professionally. In her teens, her lifelong passion for sewing was born, as was her lifelong passion for Frank Sinatra. She then attended Salisbury Business College, where she discovered a love for shorthand.
She lived in Baltimore during the Second World War, and worked as a secretary at Curtis Bay Ordnance Depot. She considered Baltimore a second home and the place where she had the most fun. She raised 4 daughters, and renovated a beautiful old home in Ramsey, New Jersey. Woodworking and antiques were added to her list of interests and skills. Her heart stayed in Ramsey even after reluctantly moving to Florida in 1979.
She and her second husband, John Johnson, owned and operated Plaza Cleaners in Melbourne, Florida for over 20 years. She had a reputation as an expert spotter who could remove any stain. Customers came from all over the county for her attention to detail. She proudly worked up to 70 hours a week for over two decades. Then, in her late 70s, she started a new career as a realtor. At 80, she was embarking on income tax courses just because she was interested. The last 20 years of her life, she did all of this while fighting cancer. She didn’t like to acknowledge it, saying she didn’t have time to be sick.
She was famous in the community for her cheesecake, always planning who would be the next receiver of her delicious gift. She was famous in her family for building shelves in every home any of her children or grandchildren ever lived in. She never stopped learning, especially if something needed to be fixed or built. Her work lives on in her handmade dollhouses, afghans, clothing, sewing machine tables, and restored trunks. She was famous among her doctors for cheating death many times. They nicknamed her Lazarina.
She played a huge part in the lives of her 5 grandchildren (raising one of them) and 9 great grandchildren. She was thought by her great grandchildren to have magical abilities to fix or make anything, whether it was made of wood, metal, fabric, or food. She imparted values of selflessness, tenacity, hard work, independence, self-reliance, attention to detail, and craftsmanship. She took in anyone who needed a meal or a place to stay. She never hesitated to speak her mind, but none of her loved ones ever doubted her great love for them. Her legacy will continue in all of those she poured her love and skills into.
She suffered the great losses of her daughter, Jayne Turner, and her granddaughter, Sarah Francht. She was also preceded in death by her husband, John Johnson; her former husband, Edward Coleman; her sister, Grace Butterfield and her brother, Preston “Buzz” Williams.
She is survived by her children: Nancy Huff (George), Suzanne Burke (Rich), and Terri Francht (Barb); grandchildren: Sandi Huff (Rick), George Huff III (Robin), Elizabeth Anderson (Scott), Dana King (Byron); 9 great grandchildren; her loving sister, Lucille Williams; and many nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, please donate in her name to:
Cancer Research Institute
55 Broadway
Suite 1802
New York, NY 10006
www.cancerresearch.org
William Childs Hospice House or Health First Hospice
Or to any charity of your choice that helps veterans. Bunny donated to many of these.