Dorothy Johnson, U.S. Navy WAVE and Massapequa Park pioneer

Dorothy Johnson, longtime Massapequa Park resident and community volunteer, died Feb. 18, 2010 of complications from pneumonia. She was 86.

Mrs. Johnson grew up in Rockaway Beach, and moved to Massapequa Park with her husband, Walter, in 1954.

“They were like pioneers of Massapequa Park,” said their son Kevin of North Massapequa. “There were no roads or lawns when they moved to Massapequa Park; just houses and mud.”

Walter and Dorothy Johnson, who were both in the U.S. Navy, met through a mutual friend during World War II. During their 44-year marriage, the Johnson’s lived on both sides of the country, moving from California, to Rockaway Beach, and later to Massapequa Park, where they raised their two sons.

During WWII, Mrs. Johnson was one of the Navy WAVES (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service), and though women were not sent into combat, she was assigned to a base in California, where she helped out with the war effort. Later on, she worked as a waitress, hostess, and a “bouncer” as her son, Kevin, jokingly put it, at the Terrace Club at the World’s Fair, where she was stationed at a desk and could only admit VIP members into the club.

“She was probably the perfect person for the job,” Kevin said, “because she was very tough and wouldn’t let people sneak in and get past her.”

Mrs. Johnson’s work experience later drew her to the hotel business, where she served as the executive housekeeper for various hotels in Manhattan, including The Sherry-Netherland and Waldorf Astoria.

After retiring, Mrs. Johnson again became involved with volunteering – this time in her local community.

“She had a very strong character, would never let circumstances get her down, and she was always helping people,” said her son Kevin. “She was very involved in the village and very community-minded.”

Mrs. Johnson volunteered at various places, including the Massapequa Library, Mercy Medical Center in Rockville Centre, Our Lady of Lourdes R.C. Church in Massapequa, and also volunteered for and went twice to the inauguration of Congressman Peter King (R-NY).

In addition to her passion for volunteering, Mrs. Johnson loved reading, writing, clothes, and cars, especially the sporty kind.

“My friends used to go wild when she would drive down to visit me at college in her Cadillac convertible,” said Kevin.

Although she loved the West Coast, Mrs. Johnson never had the desire to leave Massapequa Park, her home for 56 years.

“She would visit the West Coast all the time,” said Kevin, “but she never wanted to leave Massapequa Park. She loved it there.”

Mrs. Johnson was also a big fan of enjoying life and having fun. Just six months ago, she went to the Grand Canyon for the first time, and over the winter, she went sledding in the snow with a friend of hers.

Above all, Mrs. Johnson’s family and friends will remember her for her kindness, generosity, strength, and determination.

“She would always say, ‘stop complaining about what’s wrong with the world and make it better,’” said Kevin.

Mrs. Johnson is survived by her two sons, Kevin of North Massapequa and Walter of Oakdale, and five grandchildren. Her husband predeceased her.

She reposed at Massapequa Funeral Home, Massapequa, Feb. 21 and 22, 2010 and a Mass of Christian Burial was said at Our Lady of Lourdes R.C. Church, Massapequa on Feb. 23, 2010.