Dorothy R. “Jerry” (Symonds) Johnson, 91, died peacefully in her sleep on Monday, April 18, 2022 following a period of declining health.
She was born in Marlborough, MA on November 15, 1930 the daughter of the late Frank Symonds and Daisy (Costellow) Symonds.
Jerry was the beloved wife for 61 years of the late Benjamin W. “Ben” Johnson, III who died on May 24, 2019.
She was the devoted and loving mother of David B. Johnson of Cochituate, MA and Peter A. Johnson and his wife Anne M. Johnson of Medway, MA. Cherished grandmother of Lianna R. Johnson and Mariella G. Johnson both of Medway. Also survived by her sister Evelyn M. Tanner of Framingham and the late Richard Symonds.
Jerry has been a resident of Cochituate for the past 64 years and spent her formative years in Marlborough, MA. She was a graduate of Marlborough High School. In her earlier years, she was associated with the Curtis Shoe Co. in Marlborough and as a secretary for C. E. Williams Insurance Co. of Marlborough before she was married. For many years, she worked side by side with her husband Ben as the Bookkeeper for the family owned Johnson Pharmacy located in Cochituate. She also assisted her son David in the behind the scenes operation of his childrens clothing store in Cochituate called the Polite Panda.
For over 25 years, she would spend winter in Fort Myers, FL with a large circle of family and friends. She and David had just returned from their annual winter holiday a few days prior to her death. She, Ben and the boys enjoyed vacationing in Wiscasset and Boothbay Harbor, Maine over the years, and she and Ben enjoyed many cruises to the Caribbean. She and Ben raised David and Peter in Cochituate and also spent time at Lake Boon in Stow with family.
Jerry always looked forward to her regular Friday night outing to Carboni’s and Saturday night to Cabot’s for ice cream. She was a member of “The Club” – her ladies group with friends from the Hudson area meeting on Wednesdays at each others homes to get together and catch up on everything.
She loved to spend time in her gardens at her home whenever it was possible to do so. Jerry will be fondly loved and remembered by all who knew her and for always putting others before herself. She was a member of the Community United Methodist Church with her family for years and during her youth she attended First Baptist Church of Marlborough.
Visitations will be held on Sunday, April 24, 2022 from 4:00 to 7:00 pm at the John C. Bryant Funeral Home, 56 Pemberton Road (off Rt. 30), Cochituate.
Her funeral services will be held on Monday, April 25, 2022 at 10:30 am at the funeral home followed by interment in the Johnson family lot in Lakeview Cemetery, Cochituate.
For those who desire, her family kindly suggests that gifts in Jerry’s memory may be sent to the Salvation Army, 350 Union Ave, Framingham, MA 01702 or the Home for Little Wanderers, 10 Guest St, Boston, MA 02135.