JOHNSON – Woodbridge – Yvonne (Joan) P. Johnson, age 102, entered into eternal rest on November 15, 2019 at the Willows in Woodbridge. She had lived independently until she was one hundred six months. Joan was born on August 16, 1917, in Bethel and was raised in Seymour and was a lifelong member of Trinity Church. As a schoolgirl, she participated (often with her parents) in church plays. After graduating from Seymour High School, she studied nursing and worked at Griffin Hospital in Derby. At that time and in later years, she was an active member of the American Red Cross. Thereafter, she graduated from Ansonia Business Secretarial School earning awards in shorthand and typing proficiency. Joan held a secretarial/accounting position to the Vice President of Farrel Manufacturing Corporation in Ansonia. It was there she met her husband, Thomas F. Johnson, an Ohioan Buckeye, who was given an assignment to consult at Farrel’s as an industrial engineer. Her childhood dream of travel was about to be fulfilled! Later, as a family with two small children, they traveled and lived in many states for over twelve years. On these trips, she passionately imparted her love of history to her children through visits to museums, historical sites, and libraries. She was proud to tell stories of her heritage too, and the fact that she was a Mayflower descendant of passenger Edward Fuller. Years after Tom’s retirement, he was again assigned a consulting job in Richmond, VA. Richmond, steeped in history, together they studied, toured, embraced community and church projects, played bridge, and she became a DAR member. Upon returning home to Connecticut two years later, Joan and Tom continued restoring her grandparents' farmhouse, where they had been residing. Joan refurbished antiques and collected pewter. This house in Woodbridge was her favorite place on earth! Joan was a beautiful lady with style, grace, dignity, and spiritual enlightenment. Throughout her life, she demonstrated uncommon strength with faith when met with challenges and sorrows. Since her years in high school and many years later, she cared for her sickly mother. Decades later, she became the sole caregiver for her father and husband before their passing. Joan devoted herself to the disadvantaged, mentally and physically challenged, and often in her advance years, would visit nursing homes. She offered her time, wisdom, compassion and understanding to anyone who needed her. Her most gratifying moments she would say were conversations and debates with her husband and son. They were spirited, lively, well-versed, on politics and religion. She was always engaged in these debates and loved to be challenged. In the last decade of her life, she spent countless hours on the phone with her grandchildren. For each of them, she holds a special place in their hearts of light and love. She gave enormous support to them in their studies, career paths, romantic affairs, business, and spiritual counseling. These acts became especially comforting to her son and daughter in law’s 4 children upon their deaths 19 years ago. She was always present for them in their pain and life paths. She was a messenger of unconditional love to all. Her letters and poems to friends and family are treasured as works of love and beauty. She was predeceased in death by her parents, Mary E. (Root) and Robert Heavens, her beloved husband Thomas F. Johnson in 1984, her devoted and loving son Craig P. Johnson, and his dear wife Francine Fleming Johnson in 2001. Survivors include; her daughter Candace Johnson DeFeudis, and her husband Edward M. DeFeudis of Northborough and E. Dennis, MA. Eight grandchildren, Amy DeFeudis of Shrewsbury, MA, Wendy DeFeudis of Greenwich, CT, Todd (Cristy) DeFeudis of Cottonwood Heights, UT, Ted (Karen) DeFeudis of Pacific Palisades, CA, Sgt. Christian Johnson in AL, Amanda (Robert) Johnson Schark of South Hadley, MA, Corin (Erika) Johnson of Dawson Springs, KY, and Jesse Johnson of Charlotte, NC. 20 Great-grandchildren and 3 great-great-grandchildren.

The family will honor and remember Joan’s life by gathering for calling hours on Wednesday, November 20th from 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM at Ralph E. Hull Funeral Home, 161 W. Church St. Seymour with a Service of Requiem Eucharist at 11:00 Am in Trinity Episcopal Church, 91 Church St. Seymour. Interment will follow at North West Cemetery Route 67 Woodbridge. Floral arrangements are designed by Bethany Florist. Donations may be made in Yvonne’s memory to: Trinity Church Children’s Programs, 91 Church St. Seymour, CT 06483 or Boys Town, 200 Flanagan Blvd., P.O. Box 5000, Boys Town, NE 68010.. For more information or to leave an online condolence, please visit us at www.hullfh.com