Nancy Mae McGrainor Johnson

Nancy Mae McGrainor Johnson, age 87, passed away on June 18, 2019 at UTMB Hospital in Galveston, TX.  Nancy was born on December 18, 1931 in the mining town of Helvetia, PA the daughter of Thomas Delair and Flora Naomi (Nolf) McGrainor.

Nancy attended K-12 at Dayton School in Dayton, PA. and was raised on Church Street, just a few doors down from the Dayton Methodist Church where her family worshipped every Sunday.  She graduated from high school at age 17, and attended Clarion Teachers College in Clarion, PA.  Later, Nancy worked as both a telephone operator and secretary because of her knowledge of shorthand.

Nancy married Donald Shumaker in 1951 and traveled the United States as an Air Force wife, while raising two daughters Kimberly and Kelli. Nancy enjoyed being a very involved mother who spent many hours supporting her daughters’ activities in baton twirling, horse riding, pageants, dance class, and served many years as school room mother, girl scout leader, and Sunday school teacher. Nancy was truly a special mother to her daughters.

After being stationed at the Grand Forks AFB, Nancy worked many years in security for the Pinkerton Agency at the Grand Forks Airport, and also managed the Airport lounge, as well as both lounges at the Townhouse and Holiday Inn Hotels.

In 1979, Nancy married the love of her life, Leonard Johnson in Grand Forks, ND and relocated to Texas through the Civil Service.  While in Texas, Nancy worked in both retail and property management until her retirement at age 65.  She spent her remaining years in Dickinson, TX enjoying her home, pool, and family.  Nancy remained strong in her Christian faith her entire life, and was a true believer in God’s love.

Nancy is preceded in death by her parents and brother Ronald McGrainor.  She is survived by husband Leonard, sisters Kay (Jerry) Wade of Lakeland, FL, and Jane Burke, of Orlando, FL.  Daughters Kimberly Shumaker, Webster, TX and Kelli Slominski, Minto, ND.  Step-children Leonard Johnson Jr. (Valerie) of Dickinson, ND, Trina Morton of Newman, CA, and Robin (Steve) Guzenhauser of Ceres, CA.   She also leaves behind 11 loving grandchildren and step-grandchildren, 23 great and step grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

Crowder Funeral Home of Dickinson, TX is in charge of funeral arrangements, and burial will be at Glade Run Cemetery, Dayton, PA at a later date.

14 comments

  1. My Kimmie,

    Know that you are in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time and may the comfort, peace and strength of God help you and your family through your loss.

    Blessings,
    Kesha

    Takesha Phelps
  2. Sending love and prayers to you and your family Kim.

    Jenn Mauger
  3. Sorry for your loss prayers and peace for your entire family. Nancy rest in peace knowing you touched a lot of people.

    God Bless!

    Loyce Ellis

    Loyce Ellis
  4. Your years with your Mom will be the best years of your life. Your memories of her will live forever. Xoxoxo

    Sharon Ellis
  5. We grieve with you, Kim and Kelli, on the passing of your Mother and with Len, our brother-in-law, as well. Nancy was my very heartbeat as my big sister and my best friend after we went separate ways. How we looked forward to meeting in Dayton on holidays! I could never write of all the good times we shared in life as my childhood stories always would include her. I will miss our recent almost weekly phone calls sharing details of daily life.
    Our daily prayers will follow my sister Nancy’s extended family. Jerry and Kay Wade

    Jerry and Kay Wade
  6. So sorry for your loss, Kim. May She Rest in Eternal Peace. God Bless you🙏

    Olivia
  7. We grieve with you, Kim and Kelli, and Len as well.
    Nancy was such an intricate part of all our lives.
    She was my very heartbeat growing up as my big sister and after leaving home our years greatest event was meeting her in Dayton on Thanksgivings. Recently our almost weekly phone calls, sharing recent family events, etc, will leave a vacancy in my heart.
    She was a special friend to so many others as well.
    Our daily prayers will continue to include all of you. – Jerry and Kay

    Kay Wade
  8. Rest easy Ms. Nancy …. May your precious family find peace and love always with their memories of you 💗

    Wydell Dixon
  9. So sorry for your great loss. Prayers and positve thoughts on their way to you and your family

    Karen LaRue
  10. Kim, my deepest sympathies go out to you and your family. I offer you my thoughts and prayers as you grieve the loss of your precious Mom.

    Areli Lopez
  11. Sending our love to your whole family. You have been a great daughter, Kim.

    Kris Leebrick and Don Stryker
  12. Kim, Kelly and Lenny,
    So sorry for the loss of your beautiful mother, wife and my awesome Aunt. She was such an incredible woman. I remember her laugh and her smile and how she made everyone happy. I remember so fondly when her and Lenny came up to Ohio for a visit. She will be truly missed. But I know that she was welcomed by Dad and Grandma.

    Love and prayers from Ohio,

    Megan McGrainor Bell
  13. Kim & Family So very Sorry for Your Great Loss !! Thoughts & Prayers go out to all of You at this Difficult time !! You have a Beautiful Angel watching over you !! Strength for the upcoming days ahead !!

    Debbie Mohn
  14. Dear Len, Kelli & Kim, I send my sincere sympathies to you on the loss of dear Nancy, superwoman Mom to Kim and Kelli who was a single mom when I first met her. She was so stylish and beautiful and what a loss this world is without her!

    Roberta Folkestad

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