Margaret F. (Perham) Johnson

HOLDEN / WEST BOYLSTON – Margaret F. (Perham) Johnson, 91, passed away peacefully at the home of her daughter on Tuesday, November 15, 2016. She was born in Philadelphia, PA, a daughter of the late Roger and Grace (Odlum) Perham. Margaret, or “Meg” as she was better known, grew up in the Burncoat area of Worcester and graduated from North High School and Simmons College, Boston. Following her college experience, Meg worked at the Worcester Telegram & Gazette as a writer, then editor of the women's section of the publication. It was there that she met her husband, Paul N. Johnson and they married on February 18, 1950, settling in West Boylston where they lived for many years. Meg assumed her role as supportive wife to Paul, a sports columnist for the Worcester Telegram and Gazette, while he travelled and spent many hours covering events. Soon, their four children arrived and Meg devoted her time to them. Following Paul’s sudden death in 1975, Meg reentered the workforce to support her family. She worked several years as the office manager for Dr. Paul Shannon, before making a career change and moved to the HR department of the UMass Medical Center, where she worked well into her 70’s. Meg was a hard worker, and a devoted and caring mother, always there with a supportive word or a kind gesture. She loved spending time by the ocean shores of Newport or the Cape, especially during the annual Johnson family summer vacation there. Meg enjoyed most sports, especially the local teams, loved good conversation and arguing about politics. One of her great pleasures was reading. She was a member of St. Mary’s Parish, Jefferson. In addition to her beloved husband, Paul, Meg was predeceased by her sisters, Jane Meagher and Carol Robbins. She will be forever loved and missed by her four children, Gary Johnson and his partner, Debra Williams of New Bern, NC, Paula Cote and her husband, Denis of Holden, Stephen Johnson and Marie Johnson of Holden and Elizabeth Pope and her husband, Robert of Holden; her 12 grandchildren; six-great grandchildren; her sister, Judith DeStefano and her husband, Joseph of Wellesley; as well as many nieces and nephews. Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Meg’s family on Monday, November 21, from 9-10:15 a.m. at the Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main Street, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. at St. Mary’s Church, 114 Princeton Street, Jefferson. Burial will follow in Mount Vernon Cemetery, West Boylston. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to Easterseals, 233 South Wacker Drive, Suite 2400, Chicago, IL 60606. To share a memory or leave an online condolence for the family, please "sign the guestbook" on this page.