Elinor M. Johnson

1922 - 2024

Elinor M. Johnson

Concord / Hancock NH - A life well lived and loved by so many.

Elinor Marie Johnson, 101, of Concord, NH, formerly of Hancock, NH and Needham, MA, passed away peacefully with family by her side March 10th. Born March 15, 1922 in Waltham, MA she was the oldest of three children born to the late Helga (Hofvenschiold) and Joseph Johnson and was a beloved daughter, sister, aunt, friend and neighbor.

Elinor began her education in a one-room schoolhouse in Holderness, NH, followed by schools in Belmont, MA and Weston, MA. She earned her BS in Education from Framingham Teachers College in 1943 and completed graduate courses from various educational institutions, including Boston University. She had an extraordinary teaching career that began in Greenfield, MA, teaching science and health to Jr. High School students. Later she would teach in Wayland and ultimately spent 35 years in the Newton Public Schools where more than 40,000 students benefited from her leadership in outdoor education. She was fondly referred to as "The Plant Lady". Elinor's love of the outdoors and children led her to direct Newton's extensive school camping program for 30 years, where kids were immersed in learning about our ecosystem. In addition to teaching, she volunteered as a unit leader with the Girl Scouts of America, teaching wilderness survival camping in the western US. In 1958 she authored the Teachers Guide for a TV science series on WGBH in Boston, and from 1962-1967 co-authored and taught a science TV series called "Neighborhood Explores", part of the "21 Inch Classroom" also on WGBH. She was a published author of numerous articles in educational and natural science journals and in 1969 her book, "The Plant Hunters", was published. She received many accolades for her work on conservation and science, including Mass Audubon's Conservation Teacher of the Year in 1963.

Elinor traveled the world and shared her love of the outdoors in every aspect of her life. She was a true renaissance woman with a wealth of talent and skill in many hobbies and crafts. She cared for her mother for many years while living in Needham, MA and spent 50 wonderful summers at their camp on Half Moon Pond in Washington, NH. After retirement, she lived in Hancock, NH for nearly 25 years, where she was well known and described as a pillar of her community.

Elinor loved her family and especially loved opening the eyes of children to the great outdoors. A walk in the woods with Auntie Elinor was always filled with joy and wonder. She was the caregiver and storyteller of our family. She was a role model who was kind and selfless. She was a second mom to her 12 nieces and nephews and she was deeply loved.

Elinor is predeceased by her brothers Henry (Dorothy, deceased) and Robert and nieces Lauren Roeser, Lynn Camacho and nephew David Johnson. Elinor is survived by her sister-in-law Gail Johnson, nieces and nephews, Carl Johnson, Randy Johnson (Diane), Edgar Roeser (Lauren's spouse), Francisco Camacho (Lynn's spouse), Pam Cantor (Rich), Tomashawn Johnson (David's spouse), Linda Hatfield (David), Chris Johnson (Ann Cavuoti), Beth Johnson (Renee Lukas), Cindy Wray (Mark), Rob Johnson (Megan) and Eric Johnson (Mark Rehman) as well as 21 grand nieces and nephews and 12 great grand nieces and nephews.

Services will be held at the First Congregational Church of Hancock in Hancock, NH on Saturday April 27th, 2024 at 2:00 pm. Elinor supported many charitable organizations in her lifetime; remembrances may be made to the charity of your choice.