Arlene D. Johnson

Arlene D. (Knight) Johnson of Hingham passed away on June 18, 2024 at the age of 95. Born on July 2, 1928 in Easton, PA she was the daughter of Grace G. (Sternagle) Knight and Harry Knight, originally of Lexington, MA. Arlene’s father Harry Knight was born in Ludown, MA. Harry was a devout Masonic Leader and Worship Master. Arlene earned the highest rank as Worthy Advisor of Rainbow Girls in the same order in Lexington, MA. She was the sister of Eleanor G. Sauble, Burton S. Knight, who was the head of DeMolay order in Lexington, MA, and Harry Knight. Arlene is survived by her sister-in-law Wilene Cowles Knight. Arlene’s first marriage was to the late Frederick B. James, Jr., originally of Lexington, MA, and were married for 32 years. They raised five children, Marcia Louise James, Kenneth Burton James, Lawrence Charles James, Doreen Elizabeth James, and the late Frederick Bangs James, III. Arlene is survived by 9 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren. Arlene married the late Edward C. Johnson in 1984 and together built a beautiful home in Falmouth, MA, where they lived happily for 24 years before moving to Linden Ponds in 2008. They were married for 35 years.

Arlene was a hard worker from the age of 12, working after school on weekdays and Saturday nights. As an adult, she always took on whatever tasks needed to be done, whether it be painting the house, hanging wallpaper, shoveling the driveway, or preparing delicious meals, and the family favorite, Anadama bread! Arlene loved tending her large garden with her prized giant sunflowers and fresh tomatoes. In life, she was a burst of energy and expression, hard to keep up with on a walk, and never a quitter. She was a natural athlete and delighted in a brisk morning ocean swim, a round of golf, or a game of tennis. Truly a beautiful woman inside and out, Arlene was a wonderful role model for her family.

She was an accomplished artist on both the canvas and with the written word. Her magnificent oil and watercolor paintings of seashore, landscapes, and florals translate nature’s beauty onto the walls of many businesses, health care facilities, and homes around the world. Arlene authored more than a dozen personal books of her poetry, deepest thoughts, experiences, and ghost stories. Her extraordinary sense of perception memorialized in her writings stirs the heart and soul. 

Surely, Arlene’s greatest accomplishment and joy were her five children. She was a wonderful, loving mother with a giving nature who involved herself in her children’s activities including a decade-long scout leader, swim teacher, and many other activities. Arlene’s descendants, now and in future generations, will continue to bless the world with her hard work ethic and loving, nurturing qualities. Ours is a better world because of Arlene.  

A graveside service will be held in August 2024 at the Oak Grove Cemetery in Falmouth, MA. Donations in memory of Arlene may be made to the Norwell Visiting Nurse Association & Hospice, 120 Longwater Drive, Norwell, MA 02061