Barbara Marie Johnson

To Nana (we love you)

A life full of faith, family, and love, Barbara Marie Johnson passed away in her longtime Orlando home just as she wanted on April 14, 2024.

Barbara Johnson (VanHeirseele) was born in Waukegan, Illinois on July 11, 1936.  The only girl with four brothers she was doted on by a large, loud Catholic extended family.  Her parents Harriet (Andrzejewski) and Raymond VanHeirseele instilled the importance of family and traditions that continue to this day.  Considered “Queen B” even in high school, she was on the homecoming court of Waukegan High School where she graduated in 1954.  Barbara loved nothing more than to “scope the loop” in downtown Waukegan to see who was out and about and going to local Polka dances on Saturday night.

A young Barbara dreamed of one day marrying, having children, and traveling the world.  You could say it was destiny when she first spotted the handsome man in uniform at a farewell party at the Officer’s Club in Great Lakes Illinois.  Commander Durrell Johnson was someone who never rushed into any decision.  But in 1968, after dating for just 3 months, he popped the question in a corner booth at Chicago’s Palmer House. Looking back, Barbara said the single most important choice she made in her life was when she decided that Durrell was the “one” that she wanted to share the rest of her life with. Two families became one on June 15, 1968 at the Great Lakes Chapel by the Lake.  Barbara felt that their new family combining daughter Raelynn and son Robin with Durrell’s son Jeffrey was special because it was a family joined together in love and caring.  The new family went on an adventure of naval service taking them from Illinois to California.  One last tour in Memphis, Tennessee made them all ready to trade in the winter coats for the orange trees and sunshine of Central Florida in 1975.

Traveling the world was a dream fulfilled by Barbara.  With her favorite travel companion, her love Durrell, she visited all 7 continents, and took over 90 cruises. It was the beauty of Switzerland that was truly her favorite.  But it wasn’t just the high seas that held a special place in her heart. Gathering everyone for “Beach Week” in Longboat key was something she looked forward to every year.  Barbara happily presided over the festivities from her favorite perch, the Four Winds penthouse balcony.  Barbara also had an uncanny ability to swim laps with her young grandchildren and somehow never get her perfectly set hair wet.  Although she never said how much she won, she hit the Florida lottery several times. Combining these windfalls and teaching her first grandchild, Lacey, the phrase “Condo Poppa” meant that what mattered most to her, FAMILY, could join them at the beach year after year.

Barbara enjoyed her role as family matriarch.  Her advice (often unsolicited and rarely censored) came from a place of love and good intention.  It was up to you to decide whether to take it but if not, get ready for the “I told you so.”  You always knew exactly where Barbara stood on a topic and if you didn’t it was likely posted on Facebook.

Known to her grandchildren Lacey, Cydney, Dylan, and D.J. as “Nana”, she said that being a grandmother was the “greatest gift I’ve ever got and it’s a feeling that fills my life with so much joy and happiness.”  Traditions and gathering friends and family were very important to her.  Sunday night dinners with grandson D.J. and daughter Laura were filled with pizza, laughter, and much of the above said “advice.”   Christmas Eve was centered around bringing everyone together and marking the occasion.  All guests partook in signing a treasured tablecloth featuring hand-embroidered signatures (and some young handprints) of those that shared Christmas Eve dinner.   Breaking the Holy wafer with greetings of love, peace and happiness was always followed by singing Christmas carols.  The grandkids knew that it always had to be at least 3 songs (including the obscure 3rd verse) and could sing “Deck the Halls” in record time.  This meant they could FINALLY open gifts.  Nana cherished getting pictures (many hand drawn) and updates from her great grandchildren, Harrison and Hadley.  She said their pictures were the first thing she greeted in the morning and finished the day with sweet dreams at night.  Barbara said that when looking at her life what she was most proud of was her children and grandchildren.

Even after 55 years together, Barbara and Durrell never went to bed without saying “I love you.”  She was comforted in her last weeks by her faith that Durrell (who passed just 3 weeks ago) and daughter Raelynn (passed in February) would be welcoming her at heaven’s gates.  Barbara is survived by sons Jeffrey and Robin Johnson, daughter-in-laws Linda and Laura Johnson, grandchildren Lacey (Michael) Heard, Cydney (Jarrett) Comer, Dylan Johnson, and D.J. Johnson, great grandchildren Harrison and Hadley Heard along with numerous other cherished family and friends. 

Barbara’s memory will be honored on Thursday, April 18th at the Carey Hand Colonial Funeral Home in Orlando, FL with a visitation at 9:30 am and a funeral service at 10:00 am. Following this a graveside service will be conducted at Conway Cemetery at 11:00 am.

Barbara will always be remembered as a mother, Nana, and friend who was strong in her convictions and who loved just as fiercely.  She said that when looking at her life what she was most proud of was her children and grandchildren.  Barbara’s family takes comfort in their many memories and knows that she is supporting them from up above and likely has an opinion to share as soon as they see her again.