Mildred H. Johnson

Mildred H. Johnson passed away at her home at Reeds Landing, Springfield, on Tuesday, August 4th.  She was 102.

Born in 1918, in Holyoke, MA, to Branden T. McCrohan and Catherine (Farrell) McCrohan, Mildred was predeceased by a brother, Branden T. McCrohan, Jr. (Bud), and sisters Mary and Helen McCrohan. In her early teens, Millie’s family moved to the Hungry Hill section of Springfield. She graduated from Commerce High School and went to work as a secretary for Judge Thomas C. Malley. During WWII, Millie went to work at the Springfield Armory in the payroll department.

In 1942, Millie married Thomas G. FitzGerald of Holyoke, and lived on High Street in Springfield where they began their family. After their first three children were born, the family moved to Hartford Terrace where they had their fourth child and lived for many years. Mr. FitzGerald passed away suddenly in 1958, and Millie returned to work at the Armory. When the Armory closed, and the grounds became first, Springfield Technical Institute, and later, Springfield Technical Community College, Millie became the college’s Financial Officer and Bursar, the first employee hired at the school by President Edmund Garvey.

In 1976, Millie retired from the school and moved, with her second husband, Nels H. Johnson, to Harbor Island, Narragansett, Rhode Island, where they enjoyed a wonderful retirement for many years, entertaining friends, children and grandchildren at their seaside home. Mr. Johnson passed away in 1990, and Millie returned to Springfield to live at the Reeds Landing Retirement Community, where she enjoyed many years of friendship and camaraderie with her friends. Millie always spoke very highly of the care she received at Reeds Landing and her loving relationship with the nursing and homemaking staff.

Throughout her adult life, Millie was devoted completely to her children and grandchildren. She will be mourned deeply by her daughter, Eileen and her husband, Mark Cassidy of Venice, Florida; her sons Thomas of Benicia, California; Gerald and his wife Robin of East Longmeadow; and Brian and his wife Maureen of Cleveland, OH. She will be dearly missed by her grandchildren, Quinn and Brett FitzGerald in California; Shawn FitzGerald in Pittsburgh, PA; and Dr. Thomas B. FitzGerald of Glastonbury, CT, and Dr. Joanna L. FitzGerald of Manchester, CT.

Services will be private at the convenience of the family.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Mildred H. Johnson, please visit our floral store.