Obituary of Anna Christina Johnson

ANNA CHRISTINA JOHNSON October 6, 1901 - May 10, 2010 Anna Christina Johnson, 108, who died on Monday, May 10, 2010, at Pilgrim Manor Care Center of Covenant Village of Cromwell, formerly of Woodstock. Anna was born in Plainfield, New Jersey, the oldest of six children born to Alfred J. and Henny (Strandberg) Johnson. A minister who had pastored in Plainfield was currently in Woodstock, Connecticut, and encouraged Anna's father to move because there were more employment opportunities. Anna and her two oldest sisters, Helen and Elsa, moved to Woodstock with their parents in 1907. Having been brought up on a farm in Sweden, her parents first rented a farm to see if they liked it; eventually they bought that farm. Anna went to the public schools in Woodstock. In 1923 she graduated from Somerset Hospital in Somerville, New Jersey, as a nurse. "Ever since I was a little girl, I wanted to be a nurse," she said. From there she held various positions, and in 1927 she and two friends decided to go west (a move highly uncharacteristic of young ladies of her day), and spent four years at St. Luke's Hospital in Chicago, Illinois. She weathered the 1929 stock market collapse and the Depression in the "Windy City", then returned to the family farm in Woodstock where she spent many years as a private duty nurse. In 1943 she joined the staff of Day Kimball Hospital in Putnam. In those days the shifts were seven to seven; it was a trying time as many of her helpers were volunteer nurses' aides doing the job of today's LPN's and Aides. Yet, she never lost her patience, kindness and helpfulness. "Miss Anna" became head nurse of the second floor for seventeen years and then assistant director of nursing (scheduling nurses for a 150 bed hospital) for five years for a total of twenty-three years before retiring in 1966. Anna was a long-standing active member and faithful participant of the Evangelical Covenant Church of Woodstock where she was also a Deaconess and a member of the Phoebe Circle and Ladies Aid Society. Her commitment to Jesus Christ was evident in her humble, gentle spirit, dependability, and daily Bible reading and prayer. She shared her love of gardening by bringing many beautiful bouquets into her office and for her church, spring (especially daffodils), summer and fall. Anna moved to Pilgrim Manor at Covenant Village of Cromwell, Connecticut with her two sisters, Elsa and Selma, in 1988. Her brother Axel and his wife Olga moved to Pineview at Covenant Village in 2009. Predeceased by her sisters Helen, Elsa, Selma and Esther, she is survived by her youngest sibling and only brother, Axel and his wife Olga Johnson. Graveside Service will be held, Sunday, May 16, 2010, 2:30 p.m. at Elmvale Cemetery, Senexet Road, Woodstock, CT. A reception will follow the interment at the Covenant Church. The residents and staff of Covenant Village of Cromwell extend their sympathy to the family and friends. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Anna's memory may be made to the Evangelical Covenant Church, 24 Child Hill Road, Woodstock, Connecticut, 06281, or to the Covenant Village of Cromwell Benevolent Care Fund, 52 Missionary Road, Cromwell, CT. 06416. Expressions of sympathy for the family may be sent to: Mr. Axel Johnson (Olga), Covenant Village of Cromwell, #5425, 52 Missionary Road, Cromwell, CT 06416. To share a memory, "Light a Candle" at www.smithandwalkerfh.com