Jane Maura Johnson

"A cozy chair and the table set; A book, a drink and a cigarette.
A shaded light with an orange glow; All of the things we love and know.
It may be never, it may be soon; But I hope that maybe some afternoon
I'll hear a step on the creaking stair; I'll open the door and you'll be there."
From the Vagabond House by Don Blanding


Jane Maura Johnson was born in Niagara Falls, N.Y. on March 19, 1930, and passed away in Winter Springs, FL on October 19, 2017. She was a beautiful Irish lass and a bit of a rebel who died like she lived: fearlessly; with strength, humor, determination, stubbornness and grace – and with her family by her side.

Maura graduated from St. Mary's High School in Niagara Falls, N.Y. and worked briefly for the railroad. She was raised in her family home on Cedar Avenue and met her husband and love of her life, Robert F. Johnson, when she was just five years old! They were married on November 4, 1950 and spent 67 years trying to get the best of each other. Which they did! Their many life adventures included owning and operating Mr. Thank You Foods, Inc. in Lewiston, N.Y. for more than 20 years.

Maura loved to sing, was a gifted pianist and an avid reader, and could ride a horse and down a "good drink" with the best of them. She enjoyed talking about politics and religion – and would be the first to tell you she was always right! She wasn't a great cook, but could defrost frozen dinners like a pro, and could light up an entire room with just a look and a smile. She made friends easily, loved good conversation and lively debate, laughed much more than she cried and could accomplish anything she really put her mind to. She was intelligent, fair, insightful, argumentative, opinionated, kind – and definitely one-of-a-kind.

There wasn't much Maura loved more than being surrounded by family and friends. Among those who will carry her spirit with them throughout the ages, miss her terribly, remember her always, and probably say she liked them best are: her husband Robert; children Christine Johnson, Susan Johnson, Peter (Holly) Johnson, Robert Johnson, Jr., and Norene (Brian) Johnson Seeley; grandchildren David Gardner, Sara Johnson, Peter Melfi, Daniel Melfi, Herschel (Dani) Johnson-Pollack, Diana (Tony) Johnson, Pamela (Ted) Johnson Perrin, Christina (Seth) Johnson-Jerge, Matthew Johnson, Robert Johnson III, Abigail Johnson, Katie Johnson, Mary Johnson, Christopher Calvello, Zachary Calvello and Austin Calvello; great-grandchildren D'Angelo Johnson, Pamela Mae Johnson, Montae Johnson, Dylan Jerge, Connor Jerge and Ella Perrin, and a host of treasured nieces, nephews, and friends, all of whom added value, color and humor to her 87 years on this planet.

We hope that Maura is now having a good laugh – and sharing a shot and a smoke – with her father, Emmet Hogan; her mother, Norene Mahoney Hogan; her sister, Margery Hogan Leonard, her brother-in-law, Robert X. Leonard and her niece, Jane Leonard Turner.

We believe that our beloved wife, mother, aunt, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend is now a universal presence who is interceding on our behalf, so take that as fair warning! We also ask that, in celebration of Maura and in lieu of flowers, you will raise a glass in an Irish blessing – or put on the kettle for a cup of sweet coffee and recite a few lines from the Vagabond House. We hope that, like all of us, you will remember her name when your family gathers, listen for her laughter in the whisper of the wind, and look for her smile on the face of a friend. Here's to you, Jane Maura Johnson…your spirit will forever live on in our hearts.