Helen Ruth Johnson, 83, Was Island House Cleaner

Helen Ruth (Tobey) Johnson of Tisbury died Wednesday, March 1, in the Martha's Vineyard Hospital. She was 83. She was the wife of the late Thaddeus Johnson and the late Jesse R. Smally.

Helen was born in Mashpee. During World War II she lived in Boston, working at the Hingham Boatyard as a welder. Upon her marriage to her first husband, Mr. Smally, she moved to Gay Head (Aquinnah) on Martha's Vineyard.

Helen was a private house cleaner, an excellent cook and loved by all.

She is survived by her two brothers, Everett F. Tobey Sr. and Kenneth A. Tobey, both of Falmouth. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, and many cousins.

Services will be private, and donations in her memory may be made to the charity of one's choice.