Grace Crawford Johnson

Grace Johnson, a woman whose 104 years were defined by boundless energy, a "gregarious personality," and a heart for service, passed away peacefully on January 6, 2026.

A Life of Movement and Joy

Born in Manhattan on August 10, 1921, to Grace Loretta Shevlin and Clyde Bradley Crawford, Grace grew up with a zest for life that never faded. On November 18, 1944, she married William Howard Johnson, with whom she shared 31 years of marriage until his passing in 1975. While raising her family on Long Island, Grace worked for the public school system as a cafeteria cook and later as a school building attendant. While she took pride in her work, her true joy came from the daily interactions with the students, whose energy matched her own.

Retirement as a New Beginning

Grace's retirement in 1984 was anything but quiet. After moving to Kingston, New York, she embraced a whirlwind social life-traveling the globe, bowling, golfing, and playing cards. In 2004, she moved to Hilton Head to be near her daughter, where she became a local fixture. Whether volunteering weekly at the Bargain Box, assisting at local festivals, or spending years helping at The Heritage annual golf tournament, Grace was always where the action was. Her "Senior Active" lifestyle was even featured on WTOC News in 2014 and in the Island Packet, which aptly noted her secret to a long life: "Keeping busy."

Family and Legacy

Grace was the matriarch of a large and loving family. She is survived by: Her children: Priscilla Olechnowicz (Pete) and William Johnson. Her grandchildren: Gretchen Falco (Simon), Billy Johnson (Siobhan), and Erik Johnson (Jessica). Her great-grandchildren: Noah, Christian, Hunter, Cashel and Saoirse. She was predeceased by her husband, William; her brother, Clyde Crawford; her daughter-in-law, Judy Johnson; and most recently, her youngest grandson, Shaun Olechnowicz. Grace and Shaun shared a uniquely close and special bond; in an act of profound love, her family chose to shield her from the news of his recent passing, allowing her to transition in peace, carrying their bond in her heart.

Grace Johnson lived by the philosophy that life is meant to be enjoyed. Her family will remember her not just for the years she lived, but for the incredible amount of life she packed into those years.