Patricia (Pat) Mary Magee Johnson, 89, of Tallahassee, FL, passed away on December 11, 2019 at the Margaret Z. Dozier Hospice House with her daughter at her bedside. Pat was born in Chicago, IL to James Francis Magee and Mary Fagan Magee on March 23, 1930. She was the first in her Irish family to be born in America. Pat was preceded in death by her beloved husband, George Kiriakos Johnson, Jr. She is survived by her loving daughter, Stacey Wolf, son-in-law, Trent Wolf, and granddaughter, Savannah Wolf, all of Tallahassee, FL. She is also survived by her son George Johnson and his wife, as well as numerous nieces and nephews across the country who loved and adored her dearly.
Pat grew up in a strict Irish Catholic household. She attended Irish Catholic school and was taught by nuns, who slapped her hands a time or two with a ruler. She helped to raise her younger brother, Jim, and the two of them would walk home every day for lunch and split a Twinkie. She also helped to raise her nephews Bob, Don, and Ron, who she adored very much.
Pat and her husband George owned a flower shop in Chicago called “Johnson and Jensen” for many years before they moved to Fort Lauderdale in the 1960’s. Pat enjoyed making flower arrangements, wreaths, and flower crowns. Pat and George moved to Tallahassee in 1980 with their family. Pat was a Past Mother Advisor of Tallahassee Assembly #64, International Order of the Rainbow for Girls. She enjoyed this role very much and made many longtime friends within the organization. Pat survived breast cancer in 1993 with a double mastectomy. She wanted to help other women diagnosed with breast cancer and volunteered for many years at Tallahassee Memorial Hospital as a Pink Lady in the Needle Localization Unit. She found this volunteer work extremely rewarding. Pat and George were members of the Big Bend Florida Airstream Club for many years and enjoyed camping with their friends.
Pat’s favorite holiday was Christmas. During the 1980’s and 1990’s, she would hold an “Open House” every Christmas Eve where friends, family, and neighbors could drop in for a large assortment of homemade cookies, hot cocoa, and hot toddies. She loved hosting and entertaining with family and friends. She also opened her home to those who had nowhere to go for Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner. Pat and George always enjoyed cocktails every evening. When Pat became a widow, she invited friends and neighbors to join her for cocktail hour every evening at her home. She always kept a fully stocked bar to ensure all guests had a proper drink. Pat was a second mom to many of her children’s friends – this lasted from their teenage years to present day. Pat was a caregiver by nature, always taking care of family and friends in need for years. She was always visiting, cooking a meal, stopping by, and helping out however she could without being intrusive. She sat at the bedside of her husband, her best friend, and all three of her siblings when they were dying and held their hands when they passed.
Pat was blessed with two children she and George adopted. She was a wonderful mother and passed down many stories of her life experiences to her children. Her favorite role in life was being a grandmother and it suited her well. Pat adored her “Sweet Pea”, Savannah, and she, Stacey, and Savannah took many trips over the last few years making lasting memories.
Pat retired in the 1990’s as a secretary in Fairview Middle School’s guidance office. Prior to being a secretary, Pat served as a dental chairside assistant for many years in Chicago, Fort Lauderdale, and Tallahassee. Pat’s favorite color was green and she loved everything Irish. She celebrated every St. Patrick’s Day with her family and cooked corned beef, cabbage, and potatoes.
Pat preferred not to have a funeral and desired her own version of an Irish Wake, which will be held on Sunday, December 22, from 7:00pm-10:00pm at Finnegan’s Wake Irish Pub located at 1122 Thomasville Rd., Tallahassee, FL. Live Irish music will take place during this time and folks can drop in and out. Pat also wanted a celebration of life, which is planned for March 21, 2020, which is close to her birthday and her second favorite day – St. Patrick’s Day. That celebration will be held at The Women's Club of Tallahassee - 1513 Cristobal Dr., Tallahassee, FL 32303
As Pat was always volunteering and giving back to friends and the community, the family asks that you consider donating blood, volunteering at your favorite place, or doing something kind for someone in need.
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