JOHNSON, Gretchen Showalter, passed away on May 29, 2013 at the age of 81. Gretchen was born in New York City to Ada and Ellwood Showalter. She graduated from Ursinus College in 1953. On December 10, 1955, she married her beloved husband, Robert Ward Johnson. They had four wonderful children, Aric Wayne, Melissa Gretchen, Janna Patricia and Letitia Robin. The couple raised their children in Hampton, Va. Gretchen became a certified real estate agent and worked for many years selling real estate in the Tidewater area. Gretchen was an accomplished seamstress, making many beautiful outfits for her children, as well as herself. She was an avid gardener and horticulturalist and won many awards. Once her children were grown, Gretchen was able to indulge her interest in quilting, also winning awards for her beautiful pieces. She also made many quilts for her family, which will be treasured. Gretchen was a member of The Richmond Quilters Guild, The Hospitality Quilters, The New Virginians (Quilters Coffee Klatch), The Midlothian Garden Club, The Queensmill Garden Club and The American Horticultural Society. She was also an active member of the Mount Pisgah UMC Fellowship Class and the United Methodist Women. Gretchen was preceded in death by her son, Aric Wayne Johnson. Survivors include her loving husband of 57 years, Robert Ward Johnson; her daughters, Letitia of Midlothian and her children, Christopher, Steven and Matthew, Janna of Concord, N.H., her husband, Robert, and their children, Robert, Adelaide and Glynnis, and Melissa of Chester, Va., and her children, Kayla and Richard "R.J." A memorial service will be held 3 p.m. Tuesday, June 4, 2013 at Mount Pisgah United Methodist Church, 1100 Mount Pisgah Dr., Midlothian, followed by a reception. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. A private interment will be at Clark Cemetery in Hampton, Va.

Published in Richmond Times-Dispatch on June 1, 2013