Barbara H. Johnson, 92, of Thomaston, passed away peacefully at her home on April 5. She was born in St. George on March 17, 1922, the daughter of the late Harold and Gladys Smith Harlow. Growing up in Rockland she attended local schools and, after turning 18, she had enough of living at home and began her journey to New York where she worked for General Electric in Schenectady, N.Y. assembling electronics.
After moving back to Maine, she lived in Belfast and eventually settled in Rockland. Once her children had reached school age, Barbara again joined the work force, holding positions at the former F.W. Woolworth Store and WT Grant Store, both in Rockland, before retiring in 1971. Barbara was a dedicated worker. She did not own a car and would walk to and from work every day regardless of the weather.
She loved to be outside and was always working on things around her yard. Fiercely independent, Barbara stacked her own wood and cut her own grass into her 80s. She loved to travel and took many bus trips and group trips throughout the state and the country. One of her most memorable trips was to Hawaii with her friend of 63 years, Barbara Widdecombe of Rockland. Barbara was an avid knitter and was always making something to donate to someone in need. She was a generous soul and was always looking out for other people.
She is predeceased by her husband, Elliott Johnson; son, Alan Turner; stepson, Dwight Johnson; brothers, John, George, Charles, and Burnley Harlow; and sisters, Glenda Harlow, Myrtle Trull, Vina Proctor, Elizabeth Lazaro, and Muriel Thorby.
She is survived by her daughters, Fayleen Collamore of Bremen, Sylvia Colson and husband Bruce of Owls Head, Cheryl Mooney of Thomaston, and Marilyn Burns and husband James of Union; sons, Albert Russell of New Mexico, and Harold Johnson of Lincolnville; grandchildren, Tiffany Thorndike, Alan Turner, Alicia Zidek, Peary Merrifield, Michelle Merrifield, Cody Collamore, and Jennifer Colson; as well as many other grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.
A graveside service will be held in the spring at the Village Cemetery in Thomaston.
You are invited to share your condolences, memories, and photos with the family by visiting their Book of Memories at www.hallfuneralhomes.com.
Arrangements are entrusted to Hall Funeral Home Thomaston, Thomaston.
