Obituary of Cynthia Ann Johnson

Cynthia Ann (Hearn) Johnson, age 93, passed away peacefully at her home on March 26th, surrounded by her loving family. She was the beloved wife of the late R. Wade Johnson, former President of Woburn National Bank. Born and raised on Garfield Avenue in Woburn, she was the youngest of three children of the late Esther (Lentz) and James Clinton Hearn. She attended the McGarr School and was a 1946 graduate of Woburn High School. In 1951, she met Wade and they married after a short courtship. They made their home on Hilltop Parkway, where they raised their five children and where Cynthia resided for 71 years. Wade was her one true love, and she remained devoted to his memory after his passing in 1994. She was a proud mother and homemaker, who took great joy in entertaining family, friends, and neighbors. They always looked forward to her famous Christmas spritz cookies, Thanksgiving apple pies, and her exquisitely decorated birthday cakes. She loved the holidays and took special delight in celebrating her Halloween birthday. Family summers were spent at Hampton Beach, and later at Little Neck in Ipswich, where she hosted, delighted, and frolicked with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, becoming known as “Nan” to even their friends and families. Family meant everything to Nan, and her children were her greatest accomplishment. Cynthia had an adventurous spirit. Her love of travel started at age sixteen, when she went solo by train to visit her brother in California. A stop along the way gave her a chance of a lifetime where she rode a mule to the bottom of the Grand Canyon. Her travels continued with Wade from coast to coast throughout the USA, the Caribbean, and beyond. A favorite memory of Cynthia and Wade’s was winning a trip to Europe and visiting their respective ancestral roots of Denmark and England. After Wade’s early passing, she proved her independence, traveling to Florida to spend the winters. She made friends everywhere she went with her warm smile and outgoing nature. She was a selfless volunteer, giving time to her children’s school fundraisers, PTA, and as a Girl Scout troop leader. She generously supported the First Congregational Church and many local charities, especially the Woburn Host Lions, the Boys and Girls Club, and the Woburn Rotary, by which she was recognized with a Paul Harris Fellowship. Cynthia is lovingly survived by her children, Glenn Johnson and his wife Christine of Woburn, Jennifer Hughes and her husband Paul of Charlestown, Sandra Teague and her husband Joseph of Kure Beach, NC, Suzanne Johnson of Woburn, and Gary Johnson and his wife Dawn Marie of Winchester. Dear sister of the late Richard Hearn of Maui, HI, and Donald Hearn of Woburn. Cherished grandmother of Melissa Anastasiades, Lindsay Sheehan, Douglas Johnson, Brian Teague, Christopher, Emily and Jessica Hughes, and Victoria and Tyler Johnson. Great-grandmother to Brooke, Tenley and Michaela Sheehan, Drew and Luke Anastasiades, and Jack and Graham Johnson. She also leaves many loving nieces and nephews, and her generous, tender caregivers. Burial will be private. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Donations may be made in Cynthia’s memory to James L. McKeown Boys and Girls Club of Woburn, 1 Charles Gardner Lane, Woburn, MA 01801 (www.bgcwoburn.org) Arrangements by Graham Funeral Home, 3 Arlington Road, Woburn. www.grahamfuneral.com