Helen Theresa Johnsen

Helen Theresa Dowd Johnsen, 91, of Glenville, passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday, October 8, surrounded by her family.
Theresa was born on October 11, 1933, to the late John and Helen (Parker) Dowd of Dumont, NJ. She was a graduate of Dumont High School. After graduation, she was employed by M.O.N.Y of Manhattan, NY, and later by NJ Bell in the business office. After her daughters were grown, Theresa worked as a Teacher Assistant for United Cerebral Palsy at Clover Patch School. There she met her longtime friend, Joanne DiCaprio.
Theresa married her childhood sweetheart, William T. Johnsen, on June 11, 1955. They were fortunate to have celebrated over 69 years of love and commitment before his passing in 2024. After living in Lynchburgh, VA and Brookhaven, NY, they settled in Glenville in 1959.
Theresa's gentle spirit and commitment to her family rose above all else. Her main passion and source of joy was spending time with her family. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great- grandmother. For many years, Theresa was a homemaker and volunteer for her daughters' many activities, including being Room Mother, Brownie and Girl Scout leader, and seamstress for dance recitals. She continued to volunteer at Glen Worden School in 3 of her grandsons' classrooms, continuing long after they moved on. Theresa supported all of her grandsons' endeavors, attending soccer, lacrosse and hockey games, as well as band concerts and parades. She adored her great-grandchildren and cherished spending time with them.
Theresa's hobbies included ceramics, sewing, reading, exercising and travel. In retirement, she and Bill traveled extensively in the U.S., South America, Europe, Asia and Australia. They also spent many years enjoying their sailboat in Rhode Island.
Theresa is survived by her 2 daughters, Linda (John) McCully of Seneca Falls, and Judith Archibald of Scotia; grandsons Bryan, Kevin (Nicole), and Michael Archibald, and Kevin McCully; great-grandchildren, Maddox McCully, Rowan and Willow Archibald; brothers-in-law Robert Johnsen and Francis Hodgson and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her loving husband, William; sister-in-law, Carol Hodgson; and infant brother.
Calling hours will be held on Saturday, October 18th, from 10 AM to 11:30 AM at Glenville Funeral Home, 9 Glenridge Road, Glenville. Services will be held immediately following at the funeral home. Burial will be at St. Anthony's Cemetery, Glenville.
Special thanks to Community Hospice, and grandson, Michael, for their continued care and compassion.
Memorial contributions may be made to Joan Nicole Prince Home, 22 Glenville Dr, Scotia, NY 12302.