Obituary of Emeline (McCarthy) Johnson R.N.

Emeline (Mc Carthy) Johnson, R.N., 89, of Plantation Florida and formerly of Lynnfield and Gloucester, MA, passed away Wednesday, June 13, 2007 from complications after a hip fracture. She was born on November 9, 1917 and was raised in Gloucester, MA. The daughter of a fisherman, Emeline, or Mimi as her grandson Christian called her, was raised in a loving home and had many friends on Marble Street in East Gloucester with who she remained close to the very end. Jean Nugent and Charlotte Pope of Maple Street were among her long standing friends. As Jean noted, “she always had a funny story to tell and make you laugh”. Emeline married Russell W. Johnson and they had a daughter, Margot Johnson Girodet, who became a highly respected teacher in both Lynnfield and No Reading, MA. She often spoke of her modest upbringing to her grandson and of the necessity of attaining an education. “She was instrumental in my obtaining a college degree and of my success in life”, said her grandson Christian. “Without her, I couldn’t have made it through by years at the University of Massachusetts. I recall fondly how I would visit Mimi every month from Amherst and how she would never let me return to school without my car being fully stocked with groceries.” Emeline’s mother was the driving force behind her becoming a registered nurse. She often spoke of her medical training and early experience which she used later in life to become head nurse at Dr. Michaud’s office in Salem, MA and then later as a hospital and nursing home inspector for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, a job which she loved and took very seriously. Emeline worked tirelessly to ensure the facilities which she inspected were compliant with all state laws and that the patients in these facilities were being well treated and respected. Mimi was a joy to granddaughter-in-law, Mona who would share hours conversing with her and indulging in their visits to Starbucks coffee shop where Mimi would always order her blueberry cake. Following the death of her daughter in 2004, Emeline moved to Florida to be with her grandson and her great grandson Jivian whom she called “sweetie pie” and despite having limited mobility, she would follow Jivian around the house engaging him in play and games. On the day of her death, her great-grandson entered her bedroom and raised his hands as if to say: “Where’s Mimi?” Perhaps that type of connection can only be found between the very old and the very young. She is in peace now and will be sorely missed. She is survived by her grandson Christian Girodet and his wife Mona, her two year old great grandson, Jivian Girodet, her sister, Marcia Ramey and a host of relatives, neighbors and friends. She was the wife of the late Russell W. Johnson and the mother of the late Margot Girodet. A Visitation will be held on Tuesday from 11:30 to 12:30 PM at the Conway, Cahill Brodeur Funeral home. A Funeral Service will be held there at 12:30 PM. Burial will be in Forest Hill Cemetery, Lynnfield. Relatives and friends are kindly invited. Expressions of sympathy may be made to charity of your choice.