Patricia Ann Johnson
June 12, 1950 – October 4, 2023
In Memory of Patty Johnson: A Culinary Queen and Fashion Maven.
Patricia “Patty” Ann Johnson, the reigning queen of cuisine and fashion, bid farewell to this world on October 4, 2023, in Tavares, Florida. Born on June 12, 1950, in Clinton, Massachusetts, Patty was the eldest daughter of John and Barbara Donnelly. She took her responsibilities as the eldest sibling to heart, juggling the chaos of having five sisters and a brother with grace and a dash of pizzazz.
With a spatula in one hand and a fashion-forward outfit in the other, Patty’s passion for cooking knew no bounds. From the humblest soup to the most jaw-dropping beef bourguignon or a perfectly indulgent Scotch Egg, she delighted in serving up smiles on a plate. And boy, did she serve those dishes with style! Patty believed that looking fabulous was a must, whether she was whipping up a masterpiece or tackling yard work. No task was too big or too small for her to rock a killer ensemble.
Growing up in Clinton, Patty and her sisters were always up to some shenanigans. Who could forget the time her sister Maury brought home a full-grown horse to live in their father’s garden? Let’s just say their mother wasn’t too thrilled about that little stunt. But hey, life’s lessons come in many forms, and Patty took them in stride, learning to navigate the ups and downs with her signature flair.
After High School she started a European escapade that took her from Hitler’s Eagles Nest to the revelries of Munich’s Oktoberfest. Patty returned home and attended the prestigious Salters Secretarial School. Armed with her diploma, she embarked on a career at a hospital in Worcester, Massachusetts, where fate intervened and introduced her to the love of her life, Ronnie.
Patty and Ronnie’s story became a legend of love, lasting over fifty incredible years. Together, they ventured to Atlanta, Georgia, leaving their family and friends behind to carve out a new life. Money was tight, but that didn’t stop Patty from indulging in a bottle of wine every now and then. Yet, one fateful Friday, tragedy struck when her precious bottle slipped through her fingers and shattered in the grocery store parking lot. Tears were shed, my friends, but Patty vowed to never let the wine escape her grasp again. Lifes got a funny way of teaching us the most unforgettable lessons, doesn’t it?
Their love story continued to flourish, and along came their bundle of joy, Jeremiah. He brought a whirlwind of love, laughter, and adventure into Patty and Ronnie’s lives. But the journey didn’t end there. Patty’s career led them to Avon, Indiana, where she dazzled as an Academic Administrator in the Plastic Surgery department at IUPUI until her well-deserved retirement in 2013. Retirement brought them to the sunny shores of Fernandina Beach, where Patty reveled in the joy of family and the warmth of the sun.
Patricia Ann Johnson leaves behind a legacy cherished by her sisters Kathleen DiTullio, Maureen Abramson, Susan Wright, Pamela Guyette, Paula Bryson, and her brother Sean Donnelly. She was the beloved aunt to a slew of wonderful nieces and nephews. We bid farewell to Patty, preceded in death by her father, John Donnelly, her mother, Barbara Donnelly, and her beloved Ronnie.
To honor Patty’s extraordinariness, a celebration of her life will be announced at a later date. Until then, let’s raise our spatulas and toast to the memory of a culinary goddess, a fashion icon, and a woman who knew how to make life deliciously fabulous. May her pun-derful spirit and vivacious style live on in our hearts forever.
Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared on the tribute wall.
