Brita M. Johnson

Attleboro, MA

Brita M. (Leffler) Johnson, 86, of Oak Hill Avenue, Attleboro; a former longtime resident of Glendale Road, Attleboro, died on Tuesday, April 20, 2010 at the Rhode Island Hospital in Providence, Rhode Island. She was the beloved wife of Elmer Dean Johnson to whom she was married on June 29, 1946.

Born in Mölndal, Sweden on March 15, 1924, she was the daughter of the late George P. and Hilda A. (Holmquist) Leffler. Mrs. Johnson immigrated to the United States from her native Sweden at the age of 3½ and settled with her family in the City of Attleboro.

Mrs. Johnson was raised and educated in Attleboro and was the valedictorian of the Attleboro High School Class of 1942. She earned an Associate degree in language from Boston University.

A woman of elegance and grace, her life revolved around her love for her family, her strong religious convictions and her volunteering at her church.

A member of Evangelical Covenant Church in Attleboro since her youth, Mrs. Johnson was active in her church community having been a member of the church choir, church organist, member of the Mission Circle, member of the Sunshine Circle and the Attleboro Covenant Women. She was also the secretary of the Executive Committee for many years.

She began volunteering at Sturdy Memorial Hospital in Attleboro on January 12, 1967 until her retirement on February 18, 2005 having donated 5,393 hours. Mrs. Johnson served the hospital as a volunteer in the development office and at the information desk. She was a member of the Sturdy Auxiliary.

In addition to her cherished husband of almost 64 years, she leaves three children: Dr. Peter B. Johnson and his wife, Carol A. (Proulx) Johnson, of Attleboro; Mr. Mark D. Johnson and his wife, Maria Rode, of San Francisco, California and Dr. Thomas K. Johnson of Seattle, Washington; a son-in-law: Dr. William A. MacPherson of Attleboro; five grandchildren: Erik P. Johnson and his wife, Michelle (Ross) Johnson, of Attleboro; Matthew F. Johnson and his wife, Ann (Karagounis) Johnson, of Attleboro; Melissa C. (Johnson) Morales and her husband, Shawn Morales, of Attleboro; Anna C. MacPherson and her husband, Dr. Duncan Menge, of Santa Barbara, California and Emily B. MacPherson of Seattle, Washington; six great grandchildren: Natalie C. Johnson, Kathryn R. Johnson, Colin M. Johnson, Krista A. Johnson, Jacob S. Morales and Ethan P. Morales all of Attleboro and several extended family members and friends.

She was the mother of the late Christine F. (Johnson) MacPherson who died on June 30, 1996.

Family and friends are cordially invited to attend visitation on Monday, April 26, 2010 from 2:00 – 4:00 and 6:00 – 8:00 PM in the Sanctuary of the Evangelical Covenant Church, 841 North Main Street – Route 152, Attleboro.

Those in need of a ride to visitation may call the funeral home at (508) 695-0200 to make an advance reservation for such gratis transportation.

Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend a Funeral Service on Tuesday, April 27, 2010 at 1:00 PM at the Evangelical Covenant Church, 841 North Main Street – Route 152, Attleboro, with the Rev. Douglas J. Bixby, Senior Pastor, officiating.

Graveside services will follow in Woodlawn Cemetery, Attleboro.

Family and friends will be cordially invited to join the family for a time of continued fellowship and refreshment in the Fellowship Hall of the Evangelical Covenant Church following cemetery services.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Mrs. Johnson’s name may be made to either the Evangelical Covenant Church Memorial Fund, PO Box 208, Attleboro, MA 02703 or to the Perkins School for the Blind – Talking Books Program, 175 North Beacon Street, Watertown, MA 02472.

To send the family a written expression of sympathy, please visit an online register book located on the internet at www.dyer-lakefuneralhome.com.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Dyer-Lake Funeral Home, 161 Commonwealth Avenue – the national historic Colonel Obed Robinson Home, Village of Attleboro Falls, North Attleboro. (508) 695-0200.