Mary V. (Vlahos) Johnson April 25, 1927 - December 23, 2020

A tribute to my mom, Mary V. Johnson 04/25/1927-12/23/2020

My mom, Mary V. Johnson, was the epitome of humbly displaying Agape; a Greek word meaning selfless love. She always emanated love with a glow of kindness and sincere warmth. She was an incredible caregiver not only to my dad, brothers, and me in her wise and always supportive ways, but in her unique ways, extended her heart and kindness to everyone she’d meet.

She wrote a poem in 1958 called ‘The Lost Sheep’ which is a testimony of her love for the Lord, in rhyme. In small 2” x 3” plastic packets, she placed a printed copy of the poem along with a tiny pouch of sand and sketch from the Holy land, Jerusalem, where she and my dad visited in 1982.

For 40 years since then, she passed out thousands of these packets to all she was inclined to.. even strangers. She’d always reach into her purse, pull a packet out and hand it to people as an act of gratitude for the love they showed her in that moment, and as an inspiration to them, sharing her faith and love for Jesus.

Years ago, Kevin Comeau of Comeau Funeral Services asked her if he could read ‘The Lost Sheep’ poem at funeral services if people asked him to say something. Without hesitation, her reply was “yes”.

Kevin told me he’s read it hundreds of times and uses it still.

Through ‘The Lost Sheep’ and other poems she has written, she will continue to be a light in people’s moments of sadness, grief, wonder, and in joy.

I, as her daughter, have truly been blessed to have had such a strong, loving, selfless and genuinely kind role model as a mother who I forever will proudly call, ’Mom’.

Aphrodite 🌹

One of my mom’s requests was that I gather all her poetry and publish a book someday. I promised her that it will be done. Through her writings, I truly believe many who knew her, and even those who did not, will be moved by her Agape, learning more of her endless desire to; do for; to inspire; and to help others.

(Please contact me for more information.. PO Box 1302, Hampton, NH 03843)

Haverhill – My mom, Mary V. (Vlahos) Johnson, 93, wife to my late dad, James Johnson, passed away December 23, 2020. She was born in Haverhill, the daughter of my grandparents, Charles and Angelina (Alpas) Vlahos. In her teens, she volunteered her time and became a stitcher, making parachutes and more for WW11 military. She was a graduate of Haverhill High School, class of 1945. She worked in the shoe industry for years as a stitcher, then AT&T as an assembler. She was a member of St. Peter and St. Paul Greek Apostle Church. She had a passionately joyful love for the Lord that was evident in all of who she was. Those who knew her were touched by her through her love for Christ. She was an amazing mother and wife. (You may reach me at PO Box 1302, Hampton, NH 03843. Thank you.. Mary’s daughter, Aphrodite)

Mary is survived by her children, Aphrodite and husband Paul Backhaus of Hampton, NH; Stephen J. Johnson of Danville, NH; sisters, Fotini “Fanny” Guvelis and Aspacia “Honey” Girard. In addition to her husband, she was predeceased by her son Michael C. Johnson, brothers William “Bill” Vlahos and Peyer Vlahos, and sister Alexandria Zatsos.

There was a private burial for Mary V. Johnson on Monday, December 28.

Arrangements were by the Kevin B. Comeau Funeral Home, 486 Main Street, Haverhill. Please visit CFH on FB or www.comeaufuneral.com

Summer of 2021, there will be church service in her memory as well as a gathering afterwards to celebrate her life.