Ardell F. Johnson

Ardell F. Johnson, 89, of Bennington, NH died peacefully on Thursday, July 14, 2016 at the Monadnock Community Hospital after a period of failing health.

She was born on July 29, 1926 in Framingham, MA, daughter of the late John and Esther (Whitcomb) Call. Mrs. Johnson had attended schools in Hillsborough NH and graduated in 1948 from the Concord Hospital School of Nursing.

She had worked throughout the Medford, MA area in hospitals and nursing homes, and had helped many families caring for patients in their own homes.

Mrs. Johnson and her husband purchased a piece of land in Bennington in 1956. Together and with their family, they enjoyed spending many wonderful summers in the cabin they built on that property. In 1974 they decided to make NH their permanent home. After moving, she began working full time at the Crotched Mountain Rehabilitation Center. This is where she went the extra mile and helped many patients above and beyond her nursing skills. Caring for the youngsters there became her passion and Mrs. Johnson would remain there for over 20 years until retiring.

Mrs, Johnson and her husband opened ‘Johnsons Candle Country’ in 1969 where they created custom candles for friends locally, selling at various home and craft shows throughout the Monadnock Region, as well as for people around the world, shipping across the country as their market grew. They especially enjoyed making special candles for the Antrim Presbyterian Church through the years.

Her hobbies included cooking, sewing, knitting and gardening. Mrs. Johnson made many hats, mittens and sweaters, but her specialty was making tiny hats and booties then donating them to premature babies. She worked with the Mission Group at the Presbyterian Church which made netting for people in Africa, bed jackets, lap robes for nursing homes, Linus blankets for traumatized children and many other projects. She also raised roses and would often make her famous Rose Jelly.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Frank P. Johnson, on April 12, 1979.

Mrs. Johnson will be deeply missed by all of those fortunate enough to have been touched by her enduring love and compassion. She is survived by her three sons, Frank P. Johnson, II of Bennington, NH, James and his wife Susan Johnson of Marlborough, NH, and Carl and his wife Clarissa Johnson of Jaffrey, NH; her 4 grandchildren, James Jr., Ben, Andrew, Caitlin and her great-granddaughter, Brooklynn.

As per her request, there will be no calling hours. A Memorial Service will take place on Saturday, July 30, 2016 at 10:00am in the First Presbyterian Church of Antrim, 73 Main Street, Antrim, NH 03440. Burial will follow in the Maplewood Cemetery on Concord Street

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Bennington Rescue Squad, 7 School Street, Unit 103, Bennington, NH 03442.