CONSTANCE JOHNSON

1928 – 2012

HOLYOKE, Constance Golfin Johnson, 84, (nee Laurin) passed away December 3, 2012 at Holyoke Healthcare Center, 282 Cabot Street Holyoke MA after a long illness. She was born November 10, 1928 to Lucien and Florida Laurin in Holyoke, where she was raised. Although she lived in Amherst for most of her adult life, she married in Miami Beach, Florida and lived there in the late 40s. She graduated from Precious Blood Grammar School and Holyoke High School. Part of the first generation of her family to have attended college, she achieved her bachelor’s degree in two years summa cum laude from UMass Amherst, where she went on to obtain her master’s degree and ABD PhD in French literature, while she was teaching high school in Chicopee and later teaching in the Amherst school system, which she loved. From her twenties onward, she was a member of Beta Sigma Phi, an international women’s social, cultural and service organization. She played violin from the age of four, and in her later years at all family holidays. Vacations at the ocean, her pet cats, and of course, her grandchildren never failed to elicit her dazzling smile. Always a determined, strong, and independent personality with a lifelong love of learning, she greatly influenced all those around her. She was predeceased by her parents, her sister Cecile E. Laurin, her first husband Andrew S. Golfin, Sr., her second husband, Archibald R. Johnson, and her son Mark Andrew Golfin. She is survived by her children Diane Golfin Raheb of Charlestown, NH, and Andrew S. Golfin, Jr. of Canton, CT, his wife Peggy Golfin, as well as her grandchildren: Mark Raheb, Bay Golfin, David Golfin, and Liam Golfin. Visiting hours will be from 4 to 7 PM on Thursday, December 6, at Douglass Funeral Service,87 North Pleasant Street, Amherst, MA with a remembrance at 6:30 PM. In lieu of flowers, and in keeping with her lifestyle, memorial contributions may be made to Jones Library, 43 Amity Street, Amherst, MA. Obituary and memorial register at www.douglassfuneral.com.

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