Obituary of Rita M. Johnson

Rita M. Johnson, 92 passed away Monday at Birchwood Health Care. She was born on September 3, 1920 in Syracuse the daughter of the late Leonard and Theresia Gass Rauch. Rita was a graduate of Syracuse City Normal School. During the war she was a WAV and taught celestial navigation to Navy Pilots. Rita was communicant of St. Cecilia's Church and a member the Altar & Rosary Society. She was a Grand Marshall of the Solvay Bicentennial parade and a member of the Piercefield Women's Club. Predeceased by her husband of 53 years, Arthur Nelson Johnson Jr.. Survived by her son, Arthur "Bud" (Carla) Johnson of Liverpool; daughters: Judith (Thomas) West of Marcellus and Karen (Michael) Clark of Liverpool; brother: John Rauch of Liverpool and 10 grandchildren and 14 Great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Calling hours will be held on Friday, March 1 from 9am - 10:30am in Frasier-Shepardson Funeral Home, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00am in St. Cecilia's Church, 1001 Woods Road. Burial will follow in Woodlawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Wanderers' Rest Humane Association, PO Box 535, Canastota, NY 13032 or Food Bank of CNY, 7066 Interstate Island Road, Syracuse, New York 13209. Rita's family would like to thank the staff of Birchwood for their exceptional care.