Obituary of Nellie Treat Johnson

Nellie Treat Johnson slipped into eternal rest on October 1, 2012 surrounded by her loved ones after a long and courageous battle with cancer. Born October 17, 1941 daughter of the late Gordon and Alice (Downs) Treat. She was also predeceased by her beloved husband Richard G. Johnson Sr. and brothers in-law Harry E. Johnson and Richard Boncek and many, many other cherished family member and friends. She leaves behind her loving children: Patricia, husband Sterling their children David and Rosie Unan, her son Richard Jr. and wife Lori and their children Brendon & Mya Johnson and her son Gordon and his children Tyler, James and Jeremiah Johnson. She is also survived by sisters Betty and Gloria Treat and many treasured nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Aside from being a wonderful wife and mother, Nell also provided exceptional care for disabled brother in-law Harry for over 30 years. Nell always gave of herself and cared for many people throughout all of her adult life- her greatest joy was her grandchildren. She frequently helped family members and friends, often opening her home to loved ones in need and loved to host family picnics for her 21 first cousins and their families. She was selfless and had a "can-do" attitude as soon as she moved to Deep River in1967; she was eager to get involved in many community committees and organizations. To name a few, she was active in the Deep River Congregational Church where she served as Sunday School Teacher, Superintendent, the first female deacon and chairman of the Board of Deacons as well as serving on many other committees and activities in the church. She was also active in the American Legion Post 61 Aux. and the Saybrook VFW Aux.; Club 60, the Sassy Seniors, the Deep River Veteran's Memorial Green and Deep River Town Hall Restoration Committees, Soroptomist Club and served as a Trustee and docent at the Deep River Historical Society for many,many years. She worked with senior citizens in Deep River for 25 years in many capacities- enriching many lives by providing social activities and helping hundreds of senior citizens with various ways. She volunteered at the Estuary Meal Site, the Shoreline Soup Kitchen and established a Grandparents Tea for Lots of Tots and local seniors. Nell was also an avid supporter and volunteer at the Deep River Ancient Muster for the past 20 years, selling muster buttons and tee shirts at Devitt's Field. She received many awards for her community activism- most recently, the Deep River Junior Ancients presented her The Ken and Charlotte Trayes award for her community spirit. She was also awarded "Woman of the Year" by the Lower Valley Women's club, awarded honorary member of the Deep River Senior Drum Corps and named Volunteer of the Year by the Deep River Rotary Club. She was also an avid member of the CT Genealogical Society, the Platt Family Association, the Hotchkiss Family Association and she was cofounder of the Treat Family Association. She will be sorely missed by all who knew and loved her. Visitation will be held at the First Congregational Church of Deep River, 1 Church Street in Deep River on Saturday, Oct. 6th from 12:00PM to 1:00PM. Funeral Services will be at 1:00PM with burial following in the Fountain Hill Cemetery, High Street in Deep River. In her giving spirit, the family requests in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the American Cancer Society, 538 Preston Ave., Meriden, CT 06450 or to a charity of the donor's choice. To share a memory of Nellie or leave a condolence for her family please visit www.rwwfh.com . Arrangements by the Robinson, Wright & Weymer Funeral Home in Centerbrook.