Carmelita Johnson

of Tucson, passed away peacefully on October 5, 2018, at the age of 85. She was born January 19, 1933 in Auburn, NY, the middle daughter of Eugene and Josephine DeLuise. After growing up in Auburn, she moved to Syracuse, NY and was a graduate of Le Moyne College and St. Joseph College of Nursing. In 1975, Lita and her husband, Jim, along with their five children moved from Syracuse, NY to Albuquerque, NM and resided there for 40 years. Lita worked as a registered nurse before retiring in 1993 from Lovelace Medical Center in Albuquerque. She was a devoted wife and mother and enjoyed to travel and playing Bridge. She is survived by her husband of 60 years, James W. Johnson, daughters Marilyn (Neil) Jensen of Orange County, CA, Pamela (Brett) Borden of Raleigh, NC, and Shelley (Richard) Alimena of Tucson, AZ,; grandchildren Eric Jensen, Mitchell Jensen, Luke Jensen, Haylee Borden, Hunter Johnson; her sister, Theresa Ryan of Victor, NY; and several nieces and nephews. Lita was predeceased by her parents; sister, Marilyn Zibbon; her son, James D. Johnson and daughter, Amy L. Johnson. A Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, November 23, 2018 at 11:00 AM at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic, 8650 N Shannon Rd, Tucson, AZ 85742. Private interment will follow at East Lawn Palms Cemetery, Tucson, AZ.