JOHNSON, Marjorie Ruth

Today's News-Herald, Lake Havasu City, Arizona - Published Saturday, February 12, 2011 - Marjorie Ruth Johnson, fondly known as Ruth by her family and friends, passed away on Monday, Feb. 7, 2011, in Lake Havasu City at the age of 85, having lived here since 1987. Ruth was born on July 29, 1925, in Union Springs, N.Y., to Harold and Frances Snelgrove. She was the oldest of six children whose family traveled throughout the United States and Newfoundland, Canada, as her parents were in the ministry. As adults, Ruth, her brothers Harold and Jack Snelgrove and sister, Grace Tatham made their homes in Lake Havasu City. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her two brothers, Paul and Harold Snelgrove, her daughter Deborah, and her first husband, Edgar A. Johnson. Ruth was a positive influence on the lives of her family and friends. She was grateful every day for “another beautiful day in paradise” and always gave thanks for her blessings. After raising four children with Edgar, she became a nurse and worked for many years in Rochester, N.Y., and also in Lake Havasu City, both for the hospital and Hospice of Havasu. Later, she volunteered her time at the hospital. She loved to swim and was most happy that she could spend her final years at The Prestige at Claremont and enjoy the pool on a daily basis. She was so grateful for the friends she made and care she received there. She is survived by her husband, Nels C. Johnson; daughter Marilyn (James) Lusk of Lake Havasu City; sons David Johnson of Londonderry, N.H., and Douglas (Manuela) Johnson of Tequesta, Fla.; grandchildren Julie (Brian) Zemojtel of Lake Havasu City, James (Kim) Lusk of West Nyack, N.Y., Dustin Johnson and Cameron (Jennifer) Johnson of Rochester, currently serving in the Marines; and great-grandchildren Mackenzie and Jacob Zemojtel, Madison and Kallie Lusk, and Jaina and Riley Johnson. Ruth also is survived by her brother Jack (Irmgard) Snelgrove and sister Grace (Richard) Tatham of Lake Havasu City, and sister Jean (Hunter) White of Newfoundland, and many nieces and nephews. Ruth was a member of Calvary Baptist Church and of Stonebridge Christian Fellowship. She especially loved entertaining and always cooked wonderful meals for family and friends. She served as a Mary Kay consultant for many years and enjoyed sharing her love of Mary Kay with others. A celebration of her life will be held on at 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday at Lietz-Fraze Funeral Home. Arrangements were placed under the care of Lietz-Fraze Funeral Home and Crematory. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the KNLB Christian radio station. Thoughts and condolences may be submitted to the family at www.lietz-frazefuneralhome.com