Obituary of Wilhelmina C. Johnson

Wilhelmina Catherine Werner Robinson Johnson, 79, of Clinton, passed away Sunday, March 11, 2012 at the Presbyterian Home for CNY. Wilhelmina Catherine Werner was born to Charles L. and Wilhelmina Bushhouse Werner on December 10, 1932 in Rochester, NY. She earned a Bachelor's Degree in Art at Syracuse University where she was a competitor with and Captain of the Women's Fencing Team. It was there that she met her first husband William C. Robinson. Together they had three children and at his passing in 1967, she became a widow and a single parent. She returned to Syracuse University for graduate work in ceramics and for her permanent teaching certification. During this time, she taught K-12 art at Oriskany Falls School System. During these years she renovated a 150 year old, 15 room home that she and her husband had purchased in Vernon Center. She drove her family on many trips around the country in a VW Bug to show them the world. In 1978, she and Donald P. Johnson married and bought a home in Clinton where they resided for many years. She taught in the Utica City School District. Upon retirement, she began her next career and her pride and joy. She opened Sterling Designs in their home and was owner, designer, artist, silversmith and lapidary. She and Don traveled for many years selling her work at art shows and visiting family and friends while taking buying trips to procure the jewels and stones that would be used in further work. With the onset of Parkinson's Disease, Wilhelmina quickly lost the ability to use her creative hands; hands that had mastered wood carving, drawing, quilting, fashion design, painting, knitting, hand-thrown pottery, needle work and silver-smithing. We all shared admiration for the ways that she continued to survive practicing these passions only mentally and verbally. Surviving are her husband Donald Johnson of Clinton; children, Karen Robinson (Lee Andrews) of Virgil, NY, Diana Robinson (Eric Vaill) of Vernon, NY, John Gregor (Melodie) Robinson of Munnsville, NY, Margaret Mortenson of Gulfport, FL, Jeffrey Johnson of Utica, Susan Johnson of New Hartford, NY, David Johnson of Yelm, WA, Mary and Gino Lorenzo of New Hartford and Jennifer and Rev. Joseph Chamberlain of Little Falls, NY. Also surviving are grandchildren, Paige Burleigh (Devin Davis), Stockbridge, GA, John (Malak) Elliott of Cockeysville, MD, Melissa (Asher) Sinclair, Sherrill, NY, Monica Wing (Michael Geary) of Verona, NY, Justin Picchone, Atlantic Beach, NC, Carla Noon, Bart, Gino, James and Nicholas Lorenzo, New Hartford, NY, Kristin and April Mortenson of Gulfport, FL; seven great-grandchildren and her much loved family friend Cora Schroeder of Brockport. Wilhelmina was predeceased by her parents and by her brother Charles L. Werner and his wife Lorraine. Funeral services will be held at 1pm Wednesday, March 14, 2012 at Owens-Pavlot & Rogers Funeral Service, Inc, 35 College St., Clinton. Burial will be in Crown Hill Memorial Park. Friends and family are invited to call Wednesday from 11am-1pm prior to the service. Please consider donations to the Presbyterian Homes for CNY, Parkinson's Fund, PO Box 854, New Hartford, NY 13412-0854.