Helen Lorena Johnson

Helen Lorena Johnson Helen Lorena Johnson passed away on Friday, September 12, 2008 at the Toledo Inpatient Unit of Hospice of Northwest Ohio. She was born in Toledo on June 27, 1919, the daughter of Carl and Neva Walter where they lived on Macomber Street. Helen was married in 1940 to Xa Dwight Johnson Jr. for 52 years until he passed away in 1992. They had known each other since grade school. She is survived by four children, Carla King Carl; Xa Dwight III Traci; Walter Rayneld; Keith Sue; and two grandchildren, Xa Dwight IV and Marisa. In addition to her husband she was preceded in death by her granddaughter, Wellesley. Helen was a lifelong member of Monroe Street United Methodist Church and an active member of the Crusaders Sunday School Class and the Deborah Circle; she participated in many fund raising and volunteer activities. She recalled walking with her parents in 1925 from the original church at Auburn and Monroe to the new church on Monroe St. Her children were active in the churchs Boy Scout and MYF programs and the choir. Her education included Auburndale Grade School, Robinson Junior High, graduation from DeVilbiss High School in 1936 followed by studies at Stautzenberger College. She worked in the office of the Republican Party and later worked in the Bureau of Unemployment. She was an active volunteer and member of the Flower Hospital Guild Frog Ladies for 24-years; a member of the Fort Industry Order of Eastern Stars for 66-years and the Scepter Club; active member for 46-years of the Dendarah Court of the Ladies Oriental Shrine helping to maintain the Shrine Hospitals for Children and an Emeritus member of the Ptakist unit. Her many other activities included membership in Garden Club of Sylvania and bridge clubs. She enjoyed crocheting, gardening, reading, preservation of holiday traditions and cooking for her family and friends. She traveled extensively throughout the US, Europe, Mexico, the Mediterranean and the Far East. She especially enjoyed lifelong activities at her summer home in Grayling, Michigan including childhood camping with her parents, fishing, boating, snowmobiling, and blueberry picking. The family will receive friends at the Walker Funeral Home, 5155 W. Sylvania Ave., west of Corey Rd. on Sunday from 2-5 pm and 6-9 pm with an Eastern Star Service at 7 pm and a Dendarah Court Service at 7:30 pm. Visitation will also be held from 9 -11 am on Monday at Monroe Street United Methodist Church, 3613 Monroe St., where funeral services will begin at 11 am. Interment will be at Toledo Memorial Park. The family gratefully requests any memorials in lieu of flowers be given to one of the organizations that Helen supported, including: National Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Multiple Sclerosis Foundation, and Shrine Hospitals for Children. The family also gratefully acknowledges the tremendous caring support from Hospice of Northwest Ohio.