Rose M. Johnson

Rose Marie Johnson, 91, died peacefully March 5, 2011, after a very full life. Rose was born June 17, 1919 in Jersey City, NJ, to William and Sophie Brady. She grew up in Jersey City and the New York area cruising the beaches, Coney Island, and the elite resorts up the Hudson Valley with her best friend and partner in girl mischief Charlotte Majewski, who was also her aunt but only half generation older. Rose was Vice President of her graduating class, grouching later in life girls werent allowed to be President in those days. Noted as a natural performer in high school, she sang, acted, and was often the stand-up comic. With Charlotte playing the straight girl they partied and trolled for the right boys throughout the New York area. In 1940, she met and married Ray Johnson a young machinist with General Motors. Rose and Ray had their three children in Jersey City while Ray was in the GM war effort. Ray was recruited in 1953 by Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory, and they pulled up their young familys roots, waving goodbyes at Grand Central Station. Like so many others they rode the Super Chief to Lamy, NM, and spent their first few nights at Fuller Lodge. Ray put in a career at LASL while Rose raised the kids, baked for the Cumbres Junior High, and led hikes and picnics at Bandelier and in the Jemez mountains. Though she loved New Mexico and claimed that she would never want to live anywhere else, Rose never lost her Jersey-girl edge, and never found a proper New Mexico deli that did Jersey-justice to ham and swiss on rye. As a family the Johnson clan traveled by train back east numerous times, including to the 1964 New York Worlds Fair, but were always glad to get back home to Los Alamos. After Rays death in 1975 Rose began to spend her winters in Florida with Charlotte, and adding her daughters Merrie and Judy they explored the Bahamas, Europe, Egypt, and Costa Rica. She also enjoyed music, especially opera, and was an avid reader throughout her life. Rose was preceded in death by her parents, husband Ray, sister Jane Brady, beloved Aunt Charlotte, and daughter Merrie. She is survived by her daughter Judy and Rick Brake of White Rock, son Ray Jr. of Honolulu, brother Gene and Terry Brady in Florida, seven grandchildren and four great grandchildren spread from San Diego to Boise to Boston. A private family memorial is to be planned at a future date.