Obituary of Jessie V. Johnson

Jessie V. Johnson, age 90, passed away on Friday, February 21, 2014 at Elant at Fishkill. Jessie was born in Virginia February 14, 1924 to the late Carrie Peoples-Baker and Eugene Baker. Jessie lived in Virginia until 1953 when she moved to Beacon, New York and started a career that spanned forty years as a Nursing Assistant at Castle Point Veteran's Hospital. Jessie treasured the times she spent helping wounded soldiers to recover after being injured on the battlefield. Jessie received numerous awards for her dedication and always being there to help the soldiers. After retirement from Castle Point she served ten years as a special education school bus monitor for the Wappingers Central School District. She had a wonderful relationship with the special education students she helped as a bus monitor and the memories of those students stayed with her through her later years. She remembered so many of the students and often purchased them gifts for their birthdays and other special occasions. Jessie enjoyed bowling and acquired an extensive collection of awards. As she grew older she especially took great comfort in the company of so many " grannies" and treasured the times she spent with them They brought her tremendous joy and always brought smiles to her face. She was married to Thomas W Johnson who predeceased her in 1975. Jessie had one daughter, Dolores Shirley Williams who passed away in 1983. Jessie is survived by one sister, Mildred Johnson of Carrollton, Virginia. She also is survived by her grandson Troy Pittman of Riverside, New Jersey, many nieces and nephews as well as many great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren. She was predeceased by her six siblings; Charles, James, Theodore, Randolph, Evelyn and Dorothy Baker. Family will receive friends from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Tuesday February 25, 2014 at Straub,Catalano & Halvey Funeral Home. A Funeral Service will follow at 1 p.m. at the funeral home. Interment will be in Fishkill Rural Cemetery, 801 Route 9, Fishkill. The family wishes to thank the nurse and doctor staffs at St. Francis Cook 5 and Elant at Fishkill for the wonderful, friendly, compassionate and professional care they extended Jessie in her last few years. Also to Drs. Desai who were always there to handle all Jessie's health concerns. In lieu of flowers Jessie would be thrilled to know that folks contributed to one of her favorite charities- St. Jude's Children Hospital. To send the family a personal condolence or for directions, please visit our website at www.StraubCatalanoHalvey.com.