Long Time Local Resident Dies at 79

Charlotte Nancy Bicknell Johnson, wife, mother, grandmother and nurse, died on August 2, 2011 of pancreatic cancer. She would have turned 80 on August 31.

Charlotte was born in Meriden, CT where she grew up with her two sisters Jane and Phyllis. She completed her Registered Nurse training at Massachusetts General Hospital in 1951. She formally practiced nursing on and off for over 20 years, and informally on many family members for 60 years.

Charlotte married the love of her life, Thomas (Tom) Clifford Johnson, on June 21, 1952. They enjoyed raising six children and spoiling five grandchildren.

Charlotte was preceded in death by her daughter Lisa of Kansas. Her other children have established their lives throughout the country. Lynn (Lynnea) and husband Rick, reside in Michigan; Dana (Aldana) is in Massachusetts with her partner Mary; Susan and husband Larry live in Kansas; Tom and wife Laura live in East Northport Long Island, New York as well as  Marc (who lives in Ronkonkoma). Grandchildren Amanda, Anna, Gerry, Eric and Alex will all miss Charlotte.

Charlotte and Tom were very active in the Boy Scouts. She had been extremely active in the community, especially in the Dan Beard District and the Suffolk County Council (BSA) during that time.A Silver Beaver recipient, she was involved as a member of the High Adventure Training Committee, the District Training Committee, the Commissioner's Staff, staffing the National Boy Scout Jamboree, and served the Kings Park youths directly as a Den Leader and as a Troop Committee Member during the 25 years she was living in the community.

A Boy Scout Eagle Mom and Girl Scout Gold Award Mom recipient, Charlotte was also involved with the local Girl Scout Troop adventures with her daughters, including taking a cross-country trip with their Senior Girl Scout Troop in the 1980's.

They sold their home in Kings Park in 1990 and spent their retirement together as "full-timers," that is traveling the country in their rig, a 38 foot trailer pulled by a very large truck. They thoroughly enjoyed exploring all of North America from the southern point in Mexico to above the Arctic Circle in Alaska where they ran out of road.

The couple visited every state in the US, every province in Canada and enjoyed the numerous and varied rural and urban sights along the way. They also made trips abroad to Russia, Ireland, Spain, France and other countries but made sure to visit with friends in the Kings Park, Smithtown, Commack, and Hauppauge areas on their annual visits "home".

Charlotte's final days were spent as she and Tom enjoyed them--on the road.

 Please join her family for her viewing on September 2 at the Beecher & Bennett Funeral Home in Meriden, CT 06451 . A service celebrating her life will be held Saturday, September 3 at 11:00 a.m. at the same location. Charlotte's burial will immediately follow at Walnut Grove Cemetery in Meriden, CT

Contributions in her honor can be sent to The Massachusetts General Hospital Nurses' Alumnae Association Endowed Fund for the MGH Institute School of Nursing care of the MGH Nurses' Alumnae Association, PO Box 6234, Boston, MA 02114.

Infomation provided submitted by Lynn Johnson.