Estelle (Stelli) Ann Johnson (Durden) born September 3rd 1945 in Lowell, Massachusetts, the daughter of Hellen and Eddie Durden Jr, who her children referred to as Ray Ray, and wife of David W Johnson, went home to her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ January 11,2024. Estelle was predeceased by her granddaughter, Adryanne Brady.
Besides her husband, she is survived by her son, Michael Duhamel of Acton, grandchildren Kelly Gutoski and her husband Greg, Brendan Duhamel, Cormac Duhamel, their mother Dara Duhamel, her great grandchildren Chloe and Jack Gutoski; and her daughter Cheryl Brady and her husband Ed of Southborough, her grandchildren, Alexys Brady and Abigail Brady.
Growing up as an Army daughter, she moved often during her childhood due to her father’s military service. Estelle was the second born after her sister Carol, followed by her brothers first Eddie and then Edwin also affectionately called Odie. Her favorite childhood memories took place in Vienna, Austria where her father was stationed after World War II. Estelle was named after her grandmother who she called Granny Gal. She gave her life to Jesus when she was 25 years old. Estelle was a hard worker and started her career in nursing at Westborough State Hospital as an aid before moving on to Beaumont Nursing Home where she earned her LPN, Westborough Nursing Home, and then back to Beaumont Nursing Home.
She was A true artist of all things including watercolor painting, sewing, and jewelry making and was also an avid gardener and landscape hobbyist who passed on her botanical wisdom to her daughter.
As the family matriarch she was a captivating and verbose story-teller to children of all ages.
Her adventurous spirit brought her around the globe throughout her life sharing her experiences and creating memories with her family. Some of her favorite travel moments were petting a Tasmanian Devil in Australia, flying over volcanoes and walking through lava tubes in Hawaii, and seeing glow worms in a cave in New Zealand. One of the places she always longed to see was the Garden of Gethsemane in Israel.
Above all, Estelle’s largest passion was her faith in her Lord Jesus Christ and with her passion she was true prayer warrior to all in need.
Estelle referred to scriptures as Jesus’ love letters to us and two she held close to her heart were Jeremiah 33:3-Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not. and 2 Corinthians 5:8-We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
When Estelle was asked what are the five things that she was most grateful for she answered, “vision, thought, ability to stand and walk, the mercy of Jesus that abounds forever, and the love of my family.”
Visiting hours will be held on Thursday, January 18, 2024, from 5:00-7:00 PM at the Morris-Johnston Funeral Home, 40 Main Street, Southborough, MA 01772. A funeral service will be held in the funeral home at 11:00AM on Friday, January 19, 2024. Burial will follow at Southborough Rural Cemetery, 11 Cordaville Rd., Southborough, MA.
(Photo and Obituary via Morris-Johnston Funeral Home)
