Born in Amsterdam, Holland, one of 10 children, she is survived by seven brothers and sisters; two daughters, Francoise Leyman of Bowdoin and Michelle Moody of Topsham, and their husbands; two granddaughters, Laura Martell and Heather Moody; and many nieces and nephews residing in Holland and stepchildren, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was the widow of Jesse Johnson of Bailey Island.
Her love of nature came from walks in Holland with her father and grandfather and continued with her more recent outings in the woods near Thornton Oaks and Crystal Springs Farm. Her athletic abilities started at a young age and led her to medal in 1941 in a 100km (60 mile) skating race on the canals. As a nurse in WWII, she was called upon to bike across Amsterdam to get medical supplies.
After the war, she went to England for a year and then to Belgium as a nurse. While living in France, she corresponded with Jesse Johnson and moved to Bailey Island after their wedding in 1962. They enjoyed canoeing and hunting in the Burlington area. She was very active in the community with 4-H, the Library Hall, teaching French, and the Board of Appeals, to name a few. She also enjoyed playing bridge with her friends.
Her love of sports and the outdoors led her to spear fishing in the south of France, kayaking in Casco Bay and her beloved Greenwood Pond. She also became a competitive swimmer in the Masters Swim Club and Senior Olympics where she won many medals including a gold. In her 70s, she took up scuba diving and enjoyed many a dive vacation in Cozumel.
Her love of travel took her to many exotic locations from Greece and Egypt to the French Polynesian Islands and lots of trips to the Caribbean, as well as regular trips to visit her family in Holland.
A celebration of her life will be held on March 2 at Thornton Oaks at 1 p.m. Donations in her memory may be made to the Brunswick Topsham Land Trust (www.btlt.org) in lieu of flowers.
Her family wishes to thank all the staff of Hospice, Chans and Bodwell for their excellent care.
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