Margaret Johnson (nee Toohey)

Margaret Johnson, 96, passed away peacefully on January 21, surrounded by her family. She joins her beloved husband and best friend, George, who passed away just four short months ago, in September 2023, as well as her son Jay, who died tragically in 1987.

The third child of Jules and Mary Toohey, Margaret was born in Spalding, Nebraska and then moved to Omaha where she attended Cathedral grade and high school and Duchesne College. In 1952 she married her one and only love, George. The pair celebrated their 71st anniversary in May 2023. Seven children, 22 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren later, in her quiet, tender and determined way, Margaret touched the lives of everyone she encountered as a daughter, sister, spouse, mother and grandmother. She delighted in family and having a special and unique relationship with each of her family members. As a grandmother, she came to be known as “Gaga” and claimed that she was the original Lady Gaga.

Margaret was a woman of strong convictions and endless curiosity. She was a voracious reader, perusing the New York Times Book Review to find her next great read. She was interested in current events and local and national politics.

At the core of Margaret’s being was her desire and ability to share her compassion, wisdom and time with anyone who needed her support. Margaret’s gift was one of presence and complete acceptance of everyone she encountered, as demonstrated by her wide circle of friends.

Following Jay’s death, Margaret used her grief to help others, forming the Memorare group to support other mothers who’d lost a child. She was an active member of St. Margaret Mary Parish and School, volunteering in many capacities and she co-founded the Stephen Center Guild. Fifty years ago, Margaret and a small group of women founded Emergency Pregnancy Services (EPS), answering calls in their homes from distressed pregnant women with no place to turn and “in need of a kind voice and no judgement.” As the organization grew, Margaret served as its first executive director from 1981-1989. In 2007, the Johnson family was awarded the Heartland Family Service Salute to Families Community Service Award.

Raising seven kids while her husband traveled for work many days of the week was a dress rehearsal for the challenges of aging. She was the picture of grace and determination as her health declined. Despite her struggles, she found joy in attending Creighton basketball games, connecting with friends and family and having her nightly glass of red wine.

Margaret is survived by her children Matt (Donna), Chris (Colleen), Mary (Dan) Rommelfanger and Rob (Lisa) of Omaha; Paul (Colleen) and Julie (Tom) Shannon of Minneapolis; brother-in-law Richard Johnson, sisters-in-law Margaret Bowman, Gertrude Fowler and Mary Clare Owen; grandchildren Jennifer (Darin)Taylor, Kate (Nick) Krueger, Leah and Molly (Lewis Cobb) Johnson; Jamie and Lauren Johnson; Maggie (Ben) Gabrek and Gabrielle Johnson; Bridget, Erin and Gavin McQuillan; Patrick, Michael (Katie) and Laura Shannon; Andrew, Christina, Will and Ellie Rommelfanger; George, Jack, Corinne and Fred Johnson; great-grandchildren Cecilia and Charles Taylor, Theo and Henry Krueger, Everett, Ben, Eddie and Loren Shannon; Mary Margaret Gabrek and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, George and Jay, she is preceded in death by all her siblings: brothers Jack, Ed (Dorothy) and Jerry (Ginny) Toohey, sisters Elizabeth Toohey, O.P., and Rita (Lew) Roccaforte; brothers-in-law John Johnson and Jim Fowler, sister-in-law Janet Johnson and daughter-in-law Kristin.

VISITATION: 9:15 a.m. Saturday, January 27, 2024, followed by MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL at 10 a.m., St. Margaret Mary Church, 61^st & Dodge. INTERMENT: Calvary Cemetery.

Margaret's service will be livestreamed at: 

https://heartstreaming.link/margaret-johnson

Memorials may be made to Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa, 585 County Road Z, Sinsinawa, WI  53824. Online: https://www.sinsinawa.org/p/donation/.