Fay S. Johnson

Our beautiful mother, wife, grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin and friend to many, Fay Seal Evans Johnson, passed away peacefully on Thursday, July 10th at Mercy House. Affectionately known as ‘Effie’ by her loving husband of 72 years, Gary, our mom was the heart and soul of our family. Fay was a gentle woman with a quiet nature, yet she possessed an inner strength that carried us through every family crisis. She leaves a legacy of love, kindness, laughter, wonderful memories and many beautiful quilts that she handcrafted with love. Her gift was beyond compare.

Fay was born on January 31st, 1936 to Verina and Ray Evans, the eldest of four children. She attended school in Newark Valley where she met Gary, and they were married on February 21st, 1953. Our mom was a fabulous cook and loved to sing. She could often be heard singing in the kitchen as she went about her business. She had a beautiful singing voice and sang with the Sweet Adelines. She had perfect pitch. Her love of music extended to learning to play the violin, French Horn and piano. Fay was also an amazing crafter, knitting and sewing her children’s clothing, making dolls, tote bags and handbags and eventually began quilting. She met weekly with her Newark Valley Quilters quilting group and spoke of the members often and fondly. She made quilts for each of her children and grandchildren with skilled and loving hands.

For a while Mom sold Avon and we got a lot of Avon products in our Christmas stockings, to our delight! She joined a bowling league once we were all raised but never stopped sewing and quilting.

After all their children were on their own, Mom and Dad bought a boat which they docked at Sodus Bay, where we all enjoyed summer weekends. When they sold the boat, they bought a ‘American Star’ trailer that they hauled all over the country, later downsizing to a Chinook. After traveling around the country, they began to travel many other places, flying here and there and seeing a bit of the world.

Fay is survived by her loving husband, Gary; her children Mark Johnson, Beth Scales, Susie (Phil) Whalen, Wendy (Chris) Hill, Laura Johnson and Brian Johnson; fifteen grandchildren and sixteen great-grandchildren. Fay is also survived by her brother Bill Evans and his wife Connie, her brother Tom Evans and his wife Joan, and her sister Catherine Giese and her husband Bill, as well as many beloved nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her son-in-law Jim Scales and her grandson Rion Kerr.

The family is grateful for the excellent care Mom received at Binghamton General Hospital in the Palliative Care Unit, and for the wonderful care she received at Mercy House. She amazed all of us with her resilience. Mom, we will never forget your beautiful smile and pretty eyes.

A celebration of her life will be held on July 30th at Howland Farms, 1555 Blodgett Rd., Newark Valley from noon to 4:00 pm, with a luncheon to follow on site. In lieu of flowers, donations to Mercy House at 212 N. McKinley Ave., Endicott, NY 13760 in Mom’s name would be greatly appreciated. Memories and condolences can be shared in her online guest book at www.macphersonfh.com. The family is under the caring guidance of the MacPherson Funeral Home in Newark Valley.