Marjorie Johnson

It is with great sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of Marjorie Mary Johnson in the early hours of April 12, 2025, at Agrace Hospice in Fitchburg.

Marjorie was the youngest of eight, born August 16, 1934, to Frances (Beck) and Joseph Dirienzo in Madison where she and her family were raised. She attended St. Joseph's Grade School and enjoyed her early childhood with her family and friends until her parents passing when she was thirteen. Marjorie moved in with her sister, Eva and her husband, Sam where she resided until graduating high school, when she struck out on her own. Her high school counselor encouraged Marjorie to attend college, seeing so much potential in her; however, it was not meant to be with the resources available to Marjorie at the time.

Marjorie found her job enjoyable and rewarding in her position as secretary at Rayovac in Madison. She also was employed at the Department of Vocational Rehab and later worked many years at the UW Survey Research Lab until her retirement. Soon after retirement she had a few part-time jobs including the WI Department of Revenue and Dane County Clerk of Courts until she finally called it a day.

Marjorie had many pleasant and interesting stories of her high school years, friends made, activities she participated in, such as bowling, dancing and having fun with her friends. Her stories continued with her working years, more friends made and co-worker interactions. If the "Survey Crew" went to lunch on State Street, they would laugh so much and she would come home with a headache from laughing so much.

On a blind date, Marjorie met her future husband, Alvin "Vin" Johnson and they were married on June 3, 1961. They built a house in the countryside in Waunakee.

Marjorie was sharp right up until the end. She enjoyed trivia, game shows, having gained great knowledge of current events, history, politics, and sports through TV, newspapers, as well as books. She was a wealth of information, keeping up on Wisconsin Badgers and professional sports especially basketball, football, hockey, and golf. She enjoyed classic movies to the point of knowing many actors’ names. In fact, she was a night owl, staying up until the wee hours of the morning to enjoy her TV shows.

Marjorie enjoyed family trips, visiting Yellowstone, Grand Teton, and Glacier National Parks, The Dakotas, and The Grand Canyon. She also loved to have picnics at Devil’s Lake.

Marjorie was a wonderful conversationalist, allowing her to talk with anyone. She was always eager to speak with her children and was a source of strength and support.

Marjorie had a special bond with her son, Steve. They would share the events of their day from his early years, into adulthood and until her passing. They had a bond you don’t often see. With both able to talk about nearly anything. This would be their interest in sports they followed to the happenings of their day to sharing of opinions and of plans.

Marjorie and her daughter Jill had a special bond too. They would talk about animals, movie stars, and sports, and also would play a mean game or three of solitaire.

Marjorie is survived by her two children; daughter Jill (Brian) Barr and son Steve (Kathy & Skye Jowett) Johnson; sister-in-law Judy Dirienzo; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

Marjorie was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years Alvin D. Johnson Jr.; her parents; her brothers and sisters Rosalyn Dirienzo, Daniel (Dee) Dirienzo, Eva (Sam) Mender, Helen (Wally) Coleman, Elizabeth “Betty” (William) Schlotthauer, Thomas Dirienzo, and Evelyn (Wayne) Havey; mother and father-in-law Alvin Johnson Sr. and Helen Johnson; sister-in-law Dolores (Robert) Heberlein.

We will forever miss our Mother Dear. She was our champion, queen of listening, confidant and we cherished her love dearly.

A special thank you to her grade school classmates who she missed the last few years, since Covid, Jackie Hanson, Jeanne Froland, and Mary Ann Schiro.

Thank you to the wonderful staff at St. Mary’s Hospital 8th floor, Waunakee Valley Senior Living, and Agrace Hospice for your compassionate care with our mother.

Per her wishes a private family graveside service will be held at Spring Prairie Lutheran Cemetery in Keyeser.