Lorraine Marie Johnson Was Expert Fisherwoman

Lorraine Marie (Tootie) Johnson of Mt. Aldworth Road in Vineyard Haven, a lifelong Island resident, died Monday, August 22, at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston after a two-year illness.

Tootie was born in the house she lived in for her entire life on Dec. 21, 1925, the daughter of John S. M. Johnson, an Island native, and Olive Ellis from Dennisport.

She studied nursing at Sturdy Memorial Hospital in Attleboro and worked for many years at the Martha's Vineyard Hospital. She also worked for Dr. Friech for a time.

She was a great gardener and loved to go to the beach. She was an expert fisherwoman and won many Island fishing derbies and cast fear into the other fishermen around her when she would arrive. Tootie enjoyed needlework, doing embroidery and lace work.

She is survived by her sister, Paula MacRae of Plymouth, and her beloved dog, Maggie, who was always by her side. She is also survived by a niece, Paula Oehmy of St. Petersburg, Fla.; a nephew, Craig MacRae of Plymouth; three great nieces, four great nephews and four great-great nephews.

Her graveside service will be held in Oak Grove Cemetery on State Road in Vineyard Haven today at 2 p.m.

Donations may be made in her memory to the MSPCA, P.O. Box 2097, Edgartown, MA, 02539 or to the Martha's Vineyard Hospital, P.O. Box 1477, Oak Bluffs, MA 02557.

Arrangements are under the care of the Chapman, Cole & Gleason Funeral Home on the Edgartown-Vineyard Haven Road in Oak Bluffs.