Andrea DiBella Johnson

Andrea DiBella Johnson, 77, cherished wife of John J. Johnson for over 54 years, passed away peacefully with loved ones by her side on Monday, July 8, 2024 at John Dempsey Hospital-UCONN Medical Center in Farmington. Born in Hartford on March 31, 1947, Andrea was a South-End girl through and through and the city of Hartford’s biggest champion.

Andrea was a graduate of Bulkeley High School in Hartford (‘65) and Central Connecticut State College in New Britain (‘69), later earning her Master’s Degree in Education from the University of Hartford. An employee of the Hartford Board of Education for 50 years, Andrea taught at Burns Elementary School for 30 years, and worked for 20 years as a dedicated union leader with the Local 1018 Teacher’s Union, serving as dedicated President for 12 years.

Andrea is predeceased by her beloved parents, Andrew J. and Alma A. (Ashline) DiBella, sister-in-law Joanne (Murray) Johnson; sister- and brother-in-law, Patricia and Greg Godbout; and brother in-laws Robert Johnson (Ann Bly) and James Johnson (Sandy Envoy).

In addition to her husband John, lovingly nicknamed Guido, Andrea is survived by a daughter, Amanda D. Guildner, and her husband David of Wethersfield; a son, Christopher W. Johnson of Edgartown, MA; and a brother William A. DiBella and his wife Donna of Hartford. Blessed with a large extended family, a core group of lifelong friends, and friends who became family, Andrea’s loss will be felt deeply by those she leaves behind, including her brother-in-law, William Johnson of Wethersfield; sister-in-law, Maureen Clemens and husband Richard Jr. of Wethersfield; 17 nieces, nephews, and their families; cousins Dennis and Maryanne Martin, friends John and Anne Tancredi, Marie and the late Ray Thibodeau, Veda (Cunningham) Oliva, and Carmen Rincon. A devout Catholic, she was a faithful communicant of Holy Trinity Church in Hartford. Andrea was happiest when she was looking out over the water at Point of Woods beach in Old Lyme, with a good mystery novel, French vanilla coffee, and her family by her side.

An engaging storyteller, Andrea regaled her family and friends with stories of her childhood growing up on Benton Street as a proud “Benton Street Tiger,” summers spent with her children at Point ‘O Woods, and her endless battles with school administrators. A passionate democrat and relentless union leader, Andrea was a fearless warrior for justice, who would stop at nothing for her family, friends, students, and union members. Andrea adored animals, especially her cat Archie, enjoyed traveling, and was known for her beautiful flower and vegetable gardens, especially her hydrangeas. She found great joy in coffee and chats with friends, holidays with her family, making homemade pasta sauce (her grandmother’s recipe) and apple pie, and debating politics and baseball with anyone willing. Above all, Andrea was a devoted, supportive, and loving wife, mother, sister, and aunt who cherished every moment spent with them.

Funeral services will begin at 9:45 a.m. on Friday, July 12, 2024 from the D’Esopo Funeral Chapel, 277 Folly Brook Boulevard, Wethersfield, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial celebrated at 11 a.m. at Holy Trinity Church, 53 Capitol Avenue, Hartford. Burial will follow at Cedar Hill Cemetery, Hartford. The family will receive relatives and friends on Thursday, July 11, 2024 from 3 to 7 p.m. at the funeral chapel.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Andrea’s name may be made to Protectors of Animals, 144 Main Street, Unit O, East Hartford, CT 06118. For on-line expressions of sympathy to the family, please visit www.desopofuneralchapel.com