Wanda E. (Shays) Johnson

BARRE, MA/SOUTHPORT, ME – Wanda E. (Shays) Johnson, 58, passed away on Tuesday, June 21, 2022, after a brief struggle with cancer. She was born in Holden, the daughter of Lorraine Shays and the late Ronald Shays, and had lived most of her life in Rutland and Barre before moving to Maine last year.

She leaves her loving husband of 38 years, Kurt A. Johnson, Sr.; her sons, Kurt Johnson, Jr. and his wife, Caitlyn of Hubbardston, Kenneth Johnson of Rutland and Kyle Johnson of Southport, ME; her mother, Lorraine Shays of Del Ray Beach, FL; her sister, Peggy Bridges of Pomfret, CT; her granddaughter, Aliana; and numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Wanda ran the animal care program for special behavioral needs children at the Devereux School in Rutland for many years. Previously and again after leaving Devereux, she was a school bus driver in the Worcester County area. She was devoted to her family and friends, and enjoyed walking her dogs, being near the ocean, and taking long drives just to see the scenery. Wanda had a special place in her heart for animals which led to her adopting many furry friends throughout the years. She was always there to help whenever she saw a person or an animal in need of love and care. She wore her heart on her sleeve and went out of her way to help others, usually leaving her own needs for last. Wanda’s engaging laughter and smile will be missed by many.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend calling hours from 3 to 5 p.m. followed by a funeral service at 5 p.m. on Monday, June 27th in the Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main Street, Holden. A private committal service will be held at the convenience of the family at South Cemetery in Princeton. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Worcester Animal Rescue League, 139 Holden Street, Worcester, MA 01606, or to the American Cancer Society, 3 Speen Street, Framingham, MA 01701.

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