Harwinton- Mrs. Eldah (Shanley) "Bobbie" Johnson, 90, died Saturday, March 2, at the Hughes Home in West Hartford. She was the widow of Ralph O. Johnson, who died in 1993. Born March 25, 1922 in Harwinton, she was a daughter of the late Lloyd and Eldah Shanley. She was also predeceased by her daughter Eldah in 1977, her son Clarence in 1980, her sister Beulah Baldwin, and her brother Lloyd Shanley. Eldah is survived by her three devoted sons and daughters-in-law, Ralph and Corinne Johnson of New Hartford, Samuel and Sharon Johnson of Newington, and Brandon and Kathy Johnson of Newington; eight grandchildren, Becky Johnson of New Hartford, Nathan Johnson and his wife Niki of Boston, Marni Johnson of New Hartford, Brandon Johnson and his wife Kristin of Rocky Hill, Taylor Johnson and his partner Christopher Pereira of Webster, Massachusetts, Jordan Johnson and his fiance Diana Hoffman of New Britain, Brynna Perrault and her husband Donnie of Newington, Gretchen Johnson of Brooklyn, New York, and a great-granddaughter, Madeline Perrault, of Newington. She is also survived by her brother-in-law Myron Baldwin of Wethersfield, and her sisters-in-law Dixie Toby of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida and Muriel Petrich of Riverside, California, and many loving nieces and nephews, as well as friends too numerous to count. A child of the Great Depression years, Eldah learned in early youth the value of hard work and thrifty living. Growing up on a farm in a rural lifestyle that has all but disappeared from Connecticut, she enjoyed simple pastimes like a sing along with friends on a summers eve, a slow walk down a quiet country lane or a friendly card game. In her younger years, she attended school in Campville in a one-room schoolhouse. At 19, Eldah was Connecticuts 4-H club canning champion, and for many years her talent in making bread and butter pickles and jars of grape jelly was appreciated by all. As a young married couple, Eldah and Ralph homesteaded in the Everglades where they had many adventures before settling in Harwinton to raise their family. She was honest to a fault and tried always to give a kind word to those who most needed kindness. In addition to the joy she found in helping her immediate and extended family, she was always ready to lend a hand to anyone in need, with no thought to her own discomfort or inconvenience. Eldah was especially happy in her garden and at her piano, and enjoyed summer trips to the family cottage in Maine. She was active in 4-H for many years, and believed strongly in its positive contribution to the lives of young people. She was not afraid to take an unpopular position and speak out against injustice, as she did most notably fifty years ago when an African American couple wanted to rent an apartment in Harwinton and some townspeople objected. Eldah and her husband Ralph also opened their home to a refugee family from the Hmong people of Laos, helping ease their transition to American life. Everyone was welcome at the Johnsons home for a cup of tea and conversation around the kitchen table. A 70-year member of the Plymouth Congregational Church, Eldah loved her faith and supported her church in untold ways, including helping to start and maintain a thrift store which generated funds for the church and helped people going through hard times find affordable clothes. A quiet and humble person, she did not question the hardships she encountered over her long life. She practiced acceptance, trusted in her God, and hoped for a better tomorrow. May her descendants benefit from the powerful legacy she leaves them of faith and fortitude in the face of lifes adversities. Eldahs family thanks her caregivers Bonnie, Suzanna, and Christy, who helped our mother enjoy her life at home in comfort and dignity, and the staff of Hughes Health and Rehabilitation for their care and compassion. A celebration of Eldahs life will be held on Saturday, March 9th at 11 a.m. at the Plymouth Congregational Church on the Green, Plymouth. Burial will be in West Cemetery, Harwinton, at the convenience of the family. Memorial contributions in Eldah Johnsons name may be made to Hartford County 4-H Camp, care of Elsie Woolam, 1225 Main St., South Windsor, CT 06074, or to The Plymouth Congregational Church, 10 Park St., Plymouth, CT 06782.

Service Information Service Saturday March 9, 2013 11:00 AM First Congregational Church of Plymouth 10 Park Plymouth, CT 06786 -->