New London - Mary Sheridan Johnson was met in the afterlife by her husband, Kenneth W. Johnson and her son, Karl W. Johnson on Sunday, Dec. 21, 2014. Mary was born on March 1, 1924, in Hartford, to John W. and Nellie Carey Sheridan. Mary attended Hartford Public Schools and graduated from Hartford Public High School. Her first job experience was with Aetna Life and Casualty in Hartford. She met her husband at a dance at Ocean Beach Park in 1947 when Ken was on an Army furlough. They exchanged their vows of marriage on June 19, 1948. Mae and Ken recently celebrated their 66th year together. Mary was a customer service representative through the years for both Sears and Roebuck and Northeast Utilities. She was a proud member of The Auxiliary of Lawrence + Memorial Hospital and the Red Hat Society. She was a member of the congregation of St. Joseph's Church in New London. She spent many a summer at Guthrie and Osprey Beaches in New London. Mary was an avid Red Sox and UCONN basketball fan. One of Mary's greatest memories was a family trip to Mayo County, Ireland. She was able to visit the home where her mother was born and to spend time with some of her relatives. Most importantly Mary was a wife, a mother, grandmother and a great-grandmother.As a wife she was that woman in the expression, "Behind every great man there is a great woman." She selflessly supported her husband's exploits as a banker, a politician and entertainer and was his closest advisor. She was the "hostess with the mostest" engineering a variety of social affairs for Ken. Mary was a woman of modest means. She was also an essential caretaker in Ken's life. In 2004 Ken had triple bypass surgery. In the years that followed, his physical and mental state became more complicated. Mary stayed on that care taking roller coaster especially over the past three years, filling the role of nurse, aide and housekeeper. Never with a complaint, her greatest challenge was learning to ask for and willing to receive help. She was a member of the greatest generation. She possessed all of the characteristics associated with that generation of men and woman: personal responsibility, a humble nature, work ethic, prudent saver and faithful commitment.Mary celebrated 64 Mother's Days and earned every one of them. Superpower is defined as being good at so many things. She was a triage expert with superpower. She would iron everything down to underwear and even though no one would see them that wasn't the point. One of her greatest gifts was when the pantry was bare she was able to work her magic and pull a meal together. She proved herself to be a financial expert at getting the most out of a weekly budget. When all else failed she would resort to radio give-away contests to make up the difference. One of Mary's few shortcomings was never being able to be on time. Her family helped her with this by moving her time to be ready up by at least an hour. Through the many trials and tribulations that her children provided her she always responded with unconditional love. Everything she did for her children really mattered.Mary entered the world of grandparenting in 1971. Her grandchildren would agree that theirs was a special relationship breaching the "just a grandparent" line to meaningful friendships, She was an expert problem solver and only a phone call away, always willing to put on her Dear Mary hat even when she was running on empty. You could be sure that on every occasion, whether it be for Sunday dinners, holidays or just stopping by, she would pull out her smile stickers and warm fuzzy potions that would instantly make you feel better just because you were there. She was the loudest of the cheerleaders at all of her grandchildren's sporting and theater events from near and afar. Her grandchildren shared memories about Mary and so many of them were about her cooking and special menu items. This master chef often served them such dishes as Swedish meatballs, golumpkes, her lasagna, and version of Lighthouse potatoes. Her apple cake and pie were a special treat. She was always willing to share her recipes but somehow they never came out exactly the same. Great-grandparenting came to Mary in 2009. She might have thought she was too old to fall in love again but she was wrong. Her time with them was spent getting warm hugs, finding new ways to spoil and finding comfort in her legacy: her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. For her part she taught them the lesson that family was very important. Although her time with them was short her influence was significant, supported by the example of one great-grandchild willing to give up her Christmas presents if her great-grandparents could get well again.Her brothers, Peter, John and Philip Sheridan; and her sisters, Helen Doehrman, Catherine Nimmons and Theresa Moran also predeceased Mary.She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Lynn and Bill Hoehlein of New Jersey; and her son and daughter-in-law, Mark and Jill Johnson of Oakdale; and her sister, Anita Haley of Hebron. Mary was so proud of the accomplishments of her grandchildren, Craig Johnson and his wife, Tabitha, of Lincoln, R.I., Erin Spurgas and husband, Dave, of Uncasville, Erika McMahon and husband, Andrew, of Scituate, Mass., Ava Johnson of Pembroke, Mass. and Brittany and Caitlin Hoehlein of New Jersey. She adored her great-grandchildren, Cameryn and Brittany Spurgas of Uncasville and Jackson Corey Johnson of Lincoln, R.I.The family would like to extend its deepest gratitude to the staffs of Fairview Nursing Home in Groton and Lawrence + Memorial Hospital. We would like to especially distinguish the staff of the Coronary Care Unit of L+M and Dr. Wolfe for their compassion and understanding during our most trying time.The family would appreciate any donations, including those in place of flowers, to go to The Auxiliary of Lawrence + Memorial Hospital in the name of Mary Sheridan Johnson.The family will receive relatives and friends during a calling hour from 9 to 10 Sat., Dec. 27, at the Thomas L. Neilan & Sons Funeral Home, 12 Ocean Ave., New London. The funeral service will be held immediately following the calling hour. Entombment will then take place in St. Mary Mausoleum, Jefferson Avenue, New London.