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Ilona Johnson Obituary

Acton

Ilona (Wisniewski) Johnson, Age 73, of Acton, MA; formerly of Berkeley and Santa Monica, CA; Phoenix, AZ; Lebanon, NH; and Williamsburg, VA, passed away at The Atrium at Drum Hill in North Chelmsford on Monday, December 12, 2022 surrounded by her loving family.

Ilona was born in Lowell, Massachusetts, the daughter of the late Stanley and Stephanie Wisniewski, and had lifelong pride in her Polish heritage. She graduated from Lowell High School in 1966, where she was a cheerleader, a Major in the Girl Officers, and received a Carney Medal and other scholastic honors. She graduated from the University of Michigan in 1970 with a degree in Economics with highest distinction and Phi Beta Kappa, and then earned her CMA as a Certified Management Accountant. Ilona worked for many accounting firms during her lifetime including Deloitte Haskins & Sells; Price Waterhouse; and Smith Batchelder & Rugg; she was Group Controller for Ramada Corp; Controller for Community Newspapers, Inc; Senior VP and Controller for Key3Media; and Controller for Echo Bridge Entertainment.

Ilona was passionate about the outdoors, especially skiing, bicycling, kayaking and hiking. She loved museums, theater, modern art, clean modern design and any efficient new kitchen gadget. She always had a cat, and they usually found her. She was intellectually curious, a collector of facts; she knew a lot about many things, and was always willing to share. She was a voracious reader, a crossword lover, and an ardent bridge player.

She was most passionate about those she loved - her family, her friends, and countless others. She was the much loved wife of 52 years of Robert R Johnson of Acton, MA and mother of Adam W "AJ" Johnson (Kathryn Dooley) of Alexandria, VA. Survived by her sisters, Melanie Wisniewski of Kingston, NY and Lisa Wisniewski Wiedman (Richard) of Allison Park, PA; and cousins Diane Wisniewski Shawver (Robert) of Bethany Beach, DE; and Cheryl Lach Maloney Blackburn (Charles) of The Villages, FL.

Most recently, Ilona lived at The Atrium at Drum Hill in Chelmsford, MA. She was a member of the First Parish in Bedford, MA, whose activities and other members were a source of comfort and strength for her over the years.

A Memorial Service will be held at First Parish in Bedford, 75 Great Road, Bedford, MA at 1pm on January 7, 2023, and the ceremony will be accessible via Zoom. Donations may be made in Ilona's memory to the Alzheimer's Association at www.alz.org.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the DRACUT FUNERAL HOME, 2159 Lakeview Ave., DRACUT. Funeral Directors Paul A. Hardy, Jr. & Jennifer Lebaropoulos Hardy. For online guestbook and Zoom details for Memorial Service, visit DRACUTFUNERALHOME.COM.



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Published by Lowell Sun on Dec. 20, 2022.

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3 Entries

Yvonne Benelli

January 6, 2023

Sending sincere condolences to Bob and family. Ilona was such a warm, fun lady that had a genuine love of life. Ilona and Bob were a joy to have in many of my exercise classes, on land and in the lake. She loved music and dancing. Her positive attitude and huge smile will truly be missed in classes. Her beautiful spirit will live on through Bob, I´m sure. Sending hugs, love and prayers.

Sharon Murray-Block

December 31, 2022

Dear Lisa and Melanie,
I am so sorry to hear that Ilona has passed away. I am so sorry for your loss. I remember your beautiful older sister so well.
Condolences to Ilona's husband and son.
Sharon Murray-Block

Elizabeth Bkack

December 25, 2022

Lisa Sorry for the loss of your sister. Prayers to the Family. Liz Black

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Memorial Events
for Ilona Johnson

Jan

7

Memorial service

1:00 p.m.

First Parish in Bedford

75 Great Road, Bedford, MA

Funeral services provided by:

Dracut Funeral Home

2159 Lakeview Avenue, Dracut, MA 01826

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