Cecelia Joyce Johnson

Cecelia Joyce Johnson of Key West, Florida, beloved mother, grandmother, aunt and friend, passed away suddenly at her home in New Jersey on September 30, 2025, at the age of 91.

Cecelia was born and raised in the Chestnut Hill area of Philadelphia. After graduating from Raven Hill Academy, she received an Associate of Arts degree in Art History and a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature from George Washington University. She was accepted into the Graduate Writing Program at Johns Hopkins University and also studied directing and served as a dramaturg at the New School in New York City.

Cecelia was a novelist and producer of stage plays and musical albums. Her stage credits include "Savannah Bay" at the Theatre for the New City, "Fathers and Sons" at the Lion Theater (now Theater One) on Theater Row and co-producer of Theresa Rebeck's "Omnium Gatherum," which was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize. She also produced three shows at the Cafe Carlyle.

Daughter of the late Milton and Evelyn Horton, Cecelia was preceded in death by her husband, the acclaimed sculptor Seward Johnson, Jr. to whom she was married for 54 years, and her twin sister, Constance Greenleaf.

Cecelia is survived by her loving children India Blake Johnson and John Johnson (Susan) and her beloved grandchildren Seward and Alexandra Che-Johnson and Augustus, Claire and Blossom Johnson. She is also survived by her dear nephews Michael Greenleaf (Jeanine) and Anthony Greenleaf (Catherine). She will be very much missed by her loyal and loving dog Sarah.

Cecelia was a keen supporter and appreciator of the arts and had many close friends in the literary and artistic community. Soft spoken and determined, generous and a wizard of discernment, wit and grace defined Cecelia. She will be deeply missed and mourned by the many who loved and cared for her.

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