Mary Edith (Edie) Bratton Johnson
Mary Edith (Edie) Bratton Johnson, 92, died July 1, 2008, in Shoreline.
She was born June 5, 1916, in Goldendale, to Tal and Grace Bratton.
She was raised in Goldendale, spending the summers on the family ranch, without indoor plumbing, and living in town during the school year.
After graduating from Goldendale High School in 1933, Edie went to Ellensburg Normal School (now Central Washington University) to become a teacher.
In 1937, she went to Seattle, to attend business school. Her first jobs were for the Works Progress Administration and National Youth Administration.
During World War II she worked for the Navy.
She married Herbert Johnson in 1940, in Seattle. Together they raised three sons and lived in California, Michigan, North and South Dakota, Iowa, and for most of their years, in Washington, as Herb worked for Boeing.
While her sons were in school, she taught in the Bellevue School District. In 1978, Edie joined the Daughters of the Pioneers of Washington and The Pioneer Association of the State of Washington, and after Herb’s death in 1984, she served as president of both organizations at various times, as historian for the Pioneers, and also on the board of the Fiske Genealogical Museum for more than a decade. She was long active in the Methodist Church and was a member of Aldersgate Methodist Church.
Edie was known for her sensitivity, conscientiousness, consideration for others and a very quick wit. In her later years she had a special devotion to the Seattle Opera and the Seattle Mariners.
Together with Herb, she enjoyed travel and living in other places, many lasting friendships along the way, music and love of the outdoors – including camping, fishing and gardening.
Survivors include her brother, Robert Bratton of Shelton; sons, Lawrence and Wanda Johanson of Laguna Nigel, Calif., Philip and Kathryn Barron-Johanson and grandson Alexander Johanson of Seattle, and Craig Johnson of Bellevue, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Memorial services will be held July 24, 1 p.m. at Aldersgate Methodist Church, 14230 SE Newport Way, Bellevue.
In lieu of flowers, consider a memorial gift in Edie’s name to the Daughters of the Pioneers, Pioneer Hall, 1642 - 43rd Ave. East. Seattle 98112.
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