Folsom Funeral Service

Dorothy Louise (Bates) Johnson, “Pat”, a resident of Westwood, MA, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Monday, August 7, 2017 at the Thomas Upham House in Medfield at the age of 96.  Pat was born on May 22, 1921 in Whitman, MA, a daughter to Freeman C. and Emily V. (Jackson) Bates and sister to Harry, Russell, Pauline, and younger brother Elmer. She picked up the nickname “Pat” at an early age when a woman next door started calling her “Pat”, and the name stuck with her thereafter.  She attended grade school in Whitman, and moved to Brockton during her high school years.  After high school, she worked in a shoe factory and then an electronics factory making vacuum tubes. At this time, she also started dating her future husband, Warren D. Johnson, and they were married on December 23, 1945. They soon moved to Key West, FL where Warren was stationed in the Navy and taught sonar school.

After Warren was discharged from the Service, they moved to an apartment in Newton, MA, and then purchased a home in Westwood in 1954. In 1955 their son, Warren David was born, and Pat took up the job of full time Mother, housekeeper, and manager of all things important!  After David entered school, she began the challenging and rewarding career of driving School Bus #10 for the Town of Westwood. Driving the kids for many years and seeing them grow up to become young adults brought her pure joy.

After retiring, they moved to Venice, FL where they enjoyed the sun, the sand and the Venice Isle community.  During this time, they also enjoyed frequent trips back up to Massachusetts to visit their son, daughter in law and 4 grandchildren. Warren passed away in 1998, and Pat soldiered on playing (and winning) cards and bingo with her many friends in the Venice community.

In 2007, Pat moved back to Westwood, MA to be closer to her immediate family. She enjoyed attending her grandchildren’s sporting events and she was quite the supportive fan. She became an active member of the Highland Glen community, where she continued to play (and win) cards and bingo. After moving back to MA, she kept in touch with her many Florida friends, and reconnected with longtime friends up here, and made new friends.

Throughout her life, Pat was dedicated to going for a walk each and every day.  She believed that this was the secret to a long and healthy life – and we know she was right!

Visiting hours will be held Sunday, August 13 from 4-7 pm at the Folsom Funeral Home, 649 High St., Westwood.  Services and interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Pl., Memphis, TN 38105

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