Obituary

Maureen Johnson was born in Pickering, Ontario, Canada June 29, 1944.  She passed in Goodyear, Arizona on July 21, 2021.  Preceding her in death were her parents, John Edward (Ted) Johnson and Ellen Dempsey Johnson.  She has two brothers, Michael Edward (Catriona) and James William (JoAnne).  She celebrated her 50^th wedding anniversary with her husband John W. Pugsley, July 4^th.  She has two children, Andrea Lee Ratanaproeksa (Tony) and Scott Matthew (Jessica) and four grandchildren: Kate Ratanaproeksa, Tyler Ratanaproeksa, Quinn Pugsley, and Oliver Pugsley.

Maureen graduated from the Toronto General Hospital School of Nursing and practiced in various fields for over 20 years, however her favorite area was pediatrics.  After retiring from nursing, she became a full-time mom and active in various volunteer organizations.  She felt called to fill voids that needed to be address time after time.  While on the Booster Club Executive Board of Huron High School, she completely reorganized the concession allocation process that became a model used by many other schools in the State of Michigan.

While living in Philadelphia, St. Thomas Episcopal Church’s Rectory was empty but within a few months the Groton House Book and Gift Store was born.  She did all the financial work, buying and assisted in all the major areas of the store.  After four years, the Groton House had over 40 volunteers and became a major resource center for over 8 churches in the area.  She believed that you should do volunteer work that you love and not what someone else loves.  She loved and dedicated herself to the store and to the church.

Maureen and John spent over 10 summers in Bay View, a Christion Chautauqua community in Northern Michigan.  While there, she co-chaired a three year initiative designed to help the community deal with a major conflict impacting the future of the association.  One of the Bay View Board Members recently said about Maureen’s contribution, “Your role in the history of Bay View was crucial: Blessed are the peace makers, for they shall be called the children of God.”

Life in PebbleCreek since 2008, has been full and active.  She has been active in the Irish American Club and served as membership chairman for 5 years.  Other interests included: quilting, golf, bridge, travel, and most recently, Maj-jongg.

More important than all her volunteer wok and accomplishments over the years, was her love and devotion to her family and friends.  During the past few months of her illness, she has received dozens of cards, letters, and tributes from people that she has touched over the years.  The best way to capture her life is to share these comments: “You have been God’s light in this world for so many people,” “The imprint you have left with me is huge and I will be forever grateful to you,” “You have inherent qualities of gentleness and kindness, passion and compassion, the clarity of thought and reasoning, your spirituality and beliefs and the love you possess and share are an inspiration and I will continue to aspire to long after your fight is done,” “With your open mind, you radiated inner peace, a peace that was contagious,” “I want you to know what an important and beautiful role you have played in my life,” “Your warm welcoming hugs, your beautiful smile, your laughter are all key markers of who you are.”

A memorial service will be held at a latter date in Bay View, Michigan.  Her place of interment will be in the Bay View Memorial Garden.  In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation to: Christian Leaders for Africa, P.O. 3302, Carmel, IN. 46082.  This is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing the scholarships for African students desiring a high school or college education.

“Until We Meet Again”