Mary Shannon Johnson

1936 - 2021

Mary Shannon Johnson

Salem - Our mother, Mary Shannon (Ritter) Johnson, born on April 30, 1936, in Seattle, Washington, said goodbye to her family on January 27. Mother had an unlimited amount of stories from her childhood, from spending summers with her family at Port Ludlow where they picked oysters on the shores of the Puget Sound, to her unique relationship with her grandfather, whom she adored. When she was just 14 years old, her brother Fritz brought his best friend Jerry home who sampled some of her brownies. Jerry told her she would make someone a good wife someday. Right then she determined that she would marry him. Later, when he joined the Air Force, she began writing to him and he to her. The entirety of their courtship was shared through their letters, including the proposal. They were married on November 27, 1954, and spent their first three years in Anchorage, Alaska, before moving to Oregon. Mom and Dad had 8 children, 14 grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren. Their family circle included their German exchange student and multiple godchildren. Mother was the nucleus of the family, we were all so blessed. She welcomed every person who walked through the door with a generous heart, her full attention, and always, always, food. She loved her Catholic faith and was deeply devoted to the Blessed Mother. She was a vehicle of love, the keeper of the family history, clever and creative, an artist of quilt-making, words, poems, and cooking. She loved to sing though she couldn't carry a tune. Like mom always wanted she was in her own home, surrounded by family, when she passed. A celebration of her life will be held at a later time to include our extended family and friends. In the meantime, get out your quilts and wrap yourself in her love.

The source of human love is of the mother.

Deep peace mother.