Shirley C. Johnson

Born in New Haven, Connecticut on June 14, 1928, Shirley Lillian Cronogue began her journey through life. She was the only daughter born to the late William Henry Cronogue Sr. and Lillian Maude Cornish. She attended Hillhouse High School, in New Haven, Connecticut, where she excelled in dancing and chorus. She graduated in 1946.

From an early age Shirley had a great work ethic; employed at the local phone company and the Yale Law Library. In 1950 at a USO Dance, Shirley met the man whom she would later marry, John Paul Johnson, of Dickson, Tennessee. They would marry on September 11, 1954 during Hurricane Edna. Due to Paul’s military commitments, travel was inevitable. First stop was Key West, Florida in 1955 where they had their first son, Kirk. Two years later they traveled to Dickson, Tennessee where their second son, Brett, was born. In 1959, the Johnson’s traveled to Nantucket, Massachusetts where they had their third child, a daughter, Jenifer. Follow-on military assignments included a tour in Virginia Beach, Virginia and Yokosuka, Japan. Paul would retire in 1969 and the family moved to San Diego, California. All the while, Shirley kept an inviting home and a nurturing spirit for her husband and kids.

Once Shirley’s daughter, Jenifer was of school-age, she went back to work as a Secretary for a naval command in Yokosuka, Japan. Upon returning to the United States, in 1969, Shirley went to work as an Attendance Secretary for the South Bay Union School District and Central Elementary School. She retired in 1992.

Throughout her life, Shirley had a great sense of humor, love for life, and a number of passions to include her animals (especially her bulldogs), reading, sewing/needlework, music (Sinatra, Pavarotti, and Bocelli, to name a few), Western movies (especially any movie with John Wayne), and her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Sadly, Shirley passed away on April 1, 2022 which ended her 93 years of life.

Shirley will be dearly missed by her children, Kirk, Brett and Jenifer; her grand-children, Corey, James, and Nathan; and her great grand-children, Kyle and Peyton.

A viewing for Shirley will be held Wednesday, April 20, 2022 from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at Funeraria del Angel Chula Vista, 753 Broadway, Chula Vista, CA 91910. A cryptside committal will occur Wednesday, April 20, 2022 from 3:00 PM to 3:30 PM at Glen Abbey Memorial Park, 3838 Bonita Road, Bonita, CA 91902. A funeral service will occur Wednesday, April 20, 2022 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM, 753 Broadway, Chula Vista, CA 91910.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.humphreymortuary.com for the Johnson family.