Dorothy Ellen (Weinland) Johnson

Dorothy E. Johnson, “Dottie”, of Canal Fulton, passed away peacefully in her sleep March 10, 2019, at the age of 92, with her family by her side.

Because my mom was a private person I won’t dwell on the horrific tragedies she and my father experienced with the loss of their first born child, Michael, and later, their daughter, Sandy.  Instead I’ll share fond memories that endeared family and friends to her.

She had her own way of doing everything.  Though sometimes peculiar to us, it seemed to work for her.

If you heard strange noises coming from the kitchen, it was Mom tap dancing.  (No, she never took lessons.)

She loved creating humorous poetry, usually an ode to a member of the family included in a homemade birthday card.  And her poems quite often included syllables such as “boopty-boo” to complete a rhyming line where necessary.

One of her passions was baking (and eating) decadent desserts.  A particular favorite of ours was always presented inside the top of a popcorn-maker. (You know, shaped like a large yellow bowl with air holes in it.) No one is quite sure why.  Many an evening, usually after everyone was in bed, she could be found in the kitchen nibbling at the leftover dessert.  “I’m just evening out the edges”, she’d justify.  Then she’d hand me a spoon.

Her other passion was sewing.  All of the family members, at some point, wore a bathrobe she made for them along with pajamas. Every window treatment and bedspread in her house was hand made, (each weighing approximately 200 lbs).  The fact that straight pins can be found (and felt) in every item she made has been lovingly tolerated.  To this day we dare not lay our heads on any of the sofa pillows!

She adopted every stray cat that came along.  For some reason she and my father always got to name the inevitable kittens that ensued.  They must have taken turns because my dad would name a litter “Bear”, “Rat”, “Dog”, etc.  The next batch my mother would name “Betty”, “Sue”, “Mary”, and “George”.  At times Mom had scratches all over her arms and legs because the kittens would crawl up her legs and body while she was doing the dishes.  And that was just fine with her.

Dottie was a devoted grandmother to Devin and Corbin.  Her sewing talents enabled her to construct an eight foot stuffed snake, batman capes, and other playthings for them.  Together they played Hide and Seek, Jacks (family champion until her mid-eighties), and more.  She saved every drawing they made.

Most importantly, Dottie had a close relationship with her savior, Jesus Christ.  Her spiritual gifts were compassion, patience, mercifulness and meekness; her example of how to use those God-given gifts were only a few of her virtues. She was an active member of Rivertree Christian Church.  There she helped to run the food bank as well as many other volunteer positions.  She was also a volunteer at Canton Christian Home for several years.  Her life was a testimony of her faith that Christians strive for and hope to achieve.

Survivors include her husband Vernon Johnson of Canal Fulton, daughter Carole Hatch (Michael, deceased) of Akron, and two grandsons, Devin and Corbin Stockman.  Dorothy was predeceased by her son, Michael and daughter, Sandra (Stockman).
In lieu of funeral services, and to honor Dorothy’s character, we ask that all who wish to participate adopt a cat!

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