Elizabeth Marie Johnson

Elizabeth (Bettye) Marie (Tiernan) Johnson passed away June 16, 2024. Daughter of the late Frederick J. and Lillian M. (Lyons). After the tragic death of her mother, at age 8, she resided with her maternal grandparents William P. and Maria J. Lyons, and her beloved aunt and godmother, Elizabeth M. (Lyons) Desmond in Dorchester. Her loving husband of 44 years, CDR Donald W. Johnson, USCG-R predeceased her in 2012. He was the “love of her life”.

Mrs. Johnson attended Jeanne d’Arc Academy in Milton, Miss Allen’s Modeling & Finishing School in Boston, Bishop Lee Theater School on Beacon Hill, and Pittsburgh Playhouse School of Theater. An accomplished actress, she performed in numerous plays including summer stock with the Circle Players of Beacon Hill and Boothbay Playhouse.

She found her true calling answering an ad for classified advertising at the Boston Herald. Mrs. Johnson was the first woman promoted to Real Estate Executive, and was the Boston Herald representative on Cape Cod – aka “Bettye Drake.” She received many awards throughout her 41 years at the Herald. She fell in love with Cape Cod while working there and eventually built a home in Bourne. After retiring from the Herald, she worked as an agent for Jack Conway Real Estate on Cape Cod.

Mrs. Johnson had 3 “passions” in her life… dogs, clothes and convertibles. She was a “dog fancier” entering her show Lhasa Apsos. A member of the Merrimack Lhaso Apso Club, Companion Animals Club of Cape Cod, and was active with her Brussells Griffon, Andrea, an AKC “good citizen.” She brought Andrea for companion visits to nursing homes.

She was a member of the Bourne Women’s Club, and American Legion Post 188 Auxiliary. Bettye volunteered at Falmouth Hospital Emergency Room reception desk for 15 years. As a breast cancer survivor since 2009, she was active in the Breast Cancer Support Group at Falmouth Hospital, and a frequent visitor to the Bourne Council on Aging. For many winters she resided in Ellenton, FL.

Mrs. Johnson is survived by her brother William F. Tiernan and his wife Ann of Plymouth and was predeceased by her brother Richard E. Tiernan of Needham. She is also survived by her step-grandchildren Kacey Johnson and Sarah Block, both of Colorado. Her 5 step-great grandchildren, Dylan, Cora, and Thomas Johnson, and Ella and Colby Block all reside in Colorado. Also surviving her are many step-nieces and nephews, and many dear friends.

A visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on Monday, July 8, 2024 at the Nickerson-Bourne Funeral Home 40 MacArthur Blvd., Bourne with a burial to follow at the Massachusetts National Cemetery for 11:30 a.m.

In lieu of flowers donations in her memory may be made to an Animal Shelter of one's choice or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105.