NORTH HORNELL - Wilma F. Johnson, age 96, of North Hornell, New York, passed away on July 19, 2025 at Houghton Rehabilitation and Nursing Center.
Born on October 13, 1928 in Jasper, New York to Hannah and Lyman Fuhrman, Wilma grew up in Dansville, New York and graduated from Dansville High School
Wilma married John L. Johnson of Hornell, New York, in 1947. In 1963, they bought Waldorf Jeweler’s on Main Street in Hornell, operating it until their retirement in 1990. John and Wilma were active members of the community throughout their lives. Wilma served as the President of the Bethesda Hospital Women’s Auxiliary where she was an active fundraiser for Bethesda Hospital. She was appointed to and served on the Advisory Board to the Healthcare Association of New York State (HANY). Wilma played an important role in the decision to build the new Bethesda Hospital and continued her service on HANY’s Advisory Board concerning the delivery of healthcare to Hornell and other municipalities.
The Hornell Republican Committee honored Wilma with the Lincoln Award for exemplary service. Wilma also served as the President of the Women’s Republican Club.
The Johnson Family belonged to the United Presbyterian Church. Wilma was an Elder on The Session. She served as Treasurer, chaired the Evangelism and Parish Life Committee, and was on the Church’s 150th Anniversary Committee.
Wilma was known for her fashionable style and sharp dress. She was also an accomplished home cook, hosting regular gourmet dinner parties at her home on Seneca Road. She loved to travel, and together with John, drove across the United States. They traveled to England as part of an exchange through Rotary International and hosted exchange students through the Rotary Youth Exchange. Wilma was an avid reader with an interest in American history. She instilled her love of reading in those around her, especially her granddaughter, Sara, treating the completion of each book as a cause for celebration and excuse to get a new book immediately! Wilma, above all, was a patient listener, always making time for anyone who needed an ear and offering sound, impartial advice.
Wilma will be missed by her surviving relatives: her daughter, Pamela Johnson-Koch, of Canisteo, New York; granddaughter, Sara A. Johnson, and great-granddaughter, Charlotte P. Johnson, both of New Orleans, Louisiana; brother, Robert Fuhrman, of Wake Forest, North Carolina; sister-in-law, Ingrid Fuhrman, of Fairport, New York; a niece and four nephews. She is preceded in death by her husband, John L. Johnson; son, Charles P. Johnson; brother, William Fuhrman; and son-in-law, Jack Koch.
There will be no calling hours. A funeral service will be held on Sunday, July 27, 2025 at 3:30 p.m. at the United Presbyterian Church, 150 Main Street, Hornell, New York. Private interment will be at Rogersville Forest Lawn Cemetery, South Dansville.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 (www.stjude.org) or Shriners Hospitals for Children, 2900 N. Rocky Point Dr., Tampa, FL 33607 (www.shrinerschildren.org) or your cause of choice. Envelopes for memorial contributions will be available at the church.
The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to Yvonne Hunt, Faith Rice, Lilli Carpenter, and Deb Hunt for their excellent care of Wilma at home. A special thank you to Beth Tremblay for adopting and caring for Wilma’s cat, George, who passed days after Wilma. Also, to the staff at Houghton Rehabilitation and Nursing Center for their wonderful care during Wilma’s final two months.
The Bishop-Johnson & DeSanto Funeral Home, 285 Main St., Hornell is honored to assist Wilma’s family with the arrangements.
