Johnson, Patsy Diane
Patsy Diane Dicker Johnson of Beltsville, MD, went home to her Lord and Savior on October 11, 2020, at the age of 85 with her family by her side. Due to COVID-19, a private service will be held at George Washington National Cemetery on October 17, 2020.
Patsy was born in Presque Isle, ME, in March 1935. She grew up picking potatoes with her four sisters and brother. She was the baby of the family. She attended Mapleton High School where she excelled in her classes, was editor of her yearbook, and a cheerleader. She graduated in 1952, the same year she me the love of her life, Wilford “Babe” Johnson, at a weekly dance at the Northeastland Hotel in Presque Isle. She followed him to Bluefield, WV, where they were married on December 27, 1954. They moved to Washington, DC, in 1956 when they both began working at the National Security Agency. Patsy worked at NSA until her first daughter, Cathy, was born in April 1963. Her 2nd daughter, Sandra, was born in November 1965. She remained a stay-at-home mom until 1971, when she started her career in the Prince George’s County Public School System at Beltsville Jr High as the secretary in the library. She remained there until the school closed in 1981. She then moved to Bowie High School as the secretary in the attendance office and then became the secretary to the principal. She retired from Bowie High School in 1997. After that her focus was on her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. One of her favorite pastimes was watching football: high school, college, and professional. She was an avid High Point Eagle, Bowie Bulldog, Maryland Terrapin, Appalachian State Mountaineer, Washington Redskin, and New England Patriot Fan. She loved them all! She was also very active in the church—both Hillandale Baptist Church and First Baptist Church of Beltsville.
Patsy is survived by her husband, Wilford “Babe” Johnson; her two daughters, Cathy Slaybaugh (Chris) and Sandra Matia (Bob); her two grandchildren, Jessica Daves (Darren) and Jason Slaybaugh (Sofie); her great-granddaughter, Avery Daves; and her step great-grandson, Chase Daves; along with many nieces and nephews who love her immensely.
Patsy was pre-deceased by her two brothers, Donald and Alden, Sr, and her four sisters, Mae Porter, Margaret Hoffses, June Buzzell, and Ruth Belanger.
A private graveside service was held at George Washington Cemetery, Adelphi, MD. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent in her memory to the Alzheimer’s Association at www.act.alz.org. Arrangements made by Borgwardt Funeral Home (www.borgwardtfuneralhome.com).