Mary Powell (Manke) Johnson, aged 95, passed away peacefully at Heartlands Assisted Living of Severna Park on Friday November 4, 2022. She was born on September 23, 1927, in Baltimore Maryland. She was a resident of Severna Park, Maryland for over 40 years. Mary graduated from Western High School in 1945. Fifteen years later she attended Johns Hopkins University Evening College for six years, studying Russian language and literature and majoring in Social Sciences. She married the late Maurice P. Johnson (Bud) in 1955, whom she met while working at WAAM TV (later WJZ). The couple lived, worked and traveled together for more than 60 years. She was a former administrator at Johns Hopkins University where she served for six years as associate director of JHU's Centennial Planning and Programs. During the 1975-76 year, she helped plan and execute 57 symposia plus a celebratory concert, ball, family reunion of Hopkins collateral descendants and convocation ceremonies. When 30 file cabinets were discovered in a dormitory at this time, she helped establish the JHU Archives. A lifelong fan and supporter of performing and creative arts, Ms. Johnson was hired as a freelance arts writer by the Baltimore Sun (Arundel Section) after she wrote a letter to the editor about an Annapolis Opera performance in November 1996. Over the next 20 years more than 1,000 of her articles on local theater, dance, opera, classical and jazz music performances and local artists represented by Annapolis galleries were published. Most of these were illustrated with photos taken by her husband Bud. Mary was honored with the 2019 Annie Award for Arts Patron from the Arts Council of Anne Arundel County. She was a long-time member of the American University Women, American Theatre Critics Association and of JAWS, a society of professional women journalists. In 2001 she was selected for Who's Who of American Women and later to Who's Who in America. She lived life with a passion, and the many people that she touched knew their importance to her and can share a smile in her memory. Mary is survived by her daughter Joy Johnson-Gomez, son-in-law Michael Gomez, her granddaughter Marie Fredrikis and her grandson-in-law Kyle Fredrikis.
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2 Entries
Mary - you will always be an inspiration to me and I cherish our many lively conversations! I will miss you, but I know you are happy to be back with Bud, off together on your next great adventure! Travel in peace, my friend.
Beth
Friend
November 16, 2022
Oh my heavens! Mrs mary you are my favorite customer of all time. I will miss u coming to see me at Giant. We had so many laughs. I have been working at giant for 16 years and you and your husband will always be my favorite! I´m so sad I couldn´t see you just one last time. Every time I cut that German bologna I will think of u! Such a beautiful soul inside and out! Please look after all of us! RIP I know u and mr bud are dancing in the gates of heaven. I hope if I´m able to live a long life I follow in your footsteps and spread nothing but love! Everyone u came into contact with u showed love and I thank you so much for that. I´ll miss u dearly but I´ll never forget u! Love Megan
Prayers for your family and friends
Megan
Friend
November 15, 2022
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