MARY A. JOHNSON

Mary Ann Johnson, age 97, of Kaneville, walked with her Lord and Savior into eternity, September 6, 2023.She was born on January 28, 1926, in Aurora, IL, to proud and loving parents, Andrew and Mary (Berkes) Faber. Mary was the youngest of nine children and suffered the loss of her mother only three months after she was born. As was the case with many large families at the time, when the number of children exceeded the care they could hope to receive, other families opened their hearts and homes, which was the situation with Mary. She went to stay with relatives of her mother, the Berkes family. Eventually she returned to the family home in Virgil, attended S.S. Peter & Paul School and graduated from Maple Park High School in 1944. Within two years of receiving a diploma, Mary received a marriage proposal and a ring as well. Walking down the aisle hand in hand with William Dean Johnson on January 23, 1946, was the beginning of 34 years of wedded bliss. Grief came to call when Dean passed on December 17, 1980. following a tragic car accident. Although she may have questioned how she would go on, Mary was surrounded by the love and support of her family, filling the ensuing years with the kind of memories that will never be forgotten.   Mary was the quint essential farm wife, working side by side with Dean for over 20 years. Later she worked as a pharmacy clerk for Town and Country Drug in West Aurora. At the tender young age of 85, Mary officially “retired” but never really slowed down. Mary was a faithful member of St. Gall Catholic church for 75 years. In later years, Mary was the literally the “driving force”, giving rides to family and friends to various appointments across the countryside. Declining health on New Years Eve 2022, brought her into the care of first, the hospital and later Heritage Health Care. She was known there as “Miss Mary”. Her reputation as a “spit fire” rang true down every hall. Independence could have been her middle name, as nothing was given up until it was taken from her, including mowing the yard and shoveling her driveway “the right way”. At age 90, she was the first one out to tidy the yard and make sure the driveway was clear. You could take the girl out of the farm, but you could never take the farm out of the girl. A highlight of her life was watching the planting and reaping of the fields at the back of her house, and getting to ride the combine, overseeing the crops with an all-seeing eye. Mary was also proud of being the last surviving member of the Faber clan, wearing the mantle proudly for all to see. Chocolate chip cookies and apple slices were the stuff of legend, disappearing so quickly as if she was part magician. She was a dedicated donor of blood throughout the years and received recognition, proudly hanging her plaque at home. Chicago Cubs brought a sparkle to her eye and cheer to her lips, sharing her fandom whether you were a fellow Cubbie or not. Mary was a one-of-a-kind soul who left her mark everywhere she went, and undoubtedly has already made her presence know Heaven wide. She now leaves three sons: Jerry (Kay) Johnson, Robert “B.J.” Johnson and Richard “Rich” (Ellen) Johnson; 7 grandchildren: Jeff, Jenny, Greg, Tanya, Tanden, Adam, and Nate; 13 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great grandchildren; one sister-in-law, Mary Margaret Faber and many nieces and nephews who fondly remember her.  She is reunited with Dean Johnson, her parents, Andrew and Mary Faber; a daughter-in-law, Catherine “C.J.” Johnson; four brothers: Joe, Hank, Tony and Tuffy Faber; four sisters: Margaret Faber, Rose (Faber) Bertrum, Madelyn (Faber) Sibley and Teresa (Faber) Herrmann, who preceded her in death. Visitation will be from 10-11:30 a.m., Wednesday, September 20, 2023, at St. Gall Catholic Church, 43W885 Hughes Rd., Elburn. A Mass to celebrate her faith will begin at 11:30 a.m. with interment to follow at S.S. Peter & Paul Catholic Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Gall Catholic Church, 43W885 Hughes Rd., Elburn, IL 60119. Memories and tributes may be left at the Conley Funeral Home Facebook Page, or at www.conleycare.com.

Visitation will be from 10-11:30 a.m., Wednesday, September 20, 2023, at St. Gall Catholic Church, 43W885 Hughes Rd., Elburn. A Mass to celebrate her faith will begin at 11:30 a.m. with interment to follow at S.S. Peter & Paul Catholic Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Gall Catholic Church, 43W885 Hughes Rd., Elburn, IL 60119. Memories and tributes may be left at the Conley Funeral Home Facebook Page, or at www.conleycare.com.

Visitation will be from 10-11:30 a.m., Wednesday, September 20, 2023, at St. Gall Catholic Church, 43W885 Hughes Rd., Elburn. A Mass to celebrate her faith will begin at 11:30 a.m. with interment to follow at S.S. Peter & Paul Catholic Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Gall Catholic Church, 43W885 Hughes Rd., Elburn, IL 60119. Memories and tributes may be left at the Conley Funeral Home Facebook Page, or at www.conleycare.com.