Marguerite Johnson, school nurse-practitioner

Marguerite L. Johnson, 85, of the Carroll Park section of West Philadelphia, a nurse-practitioner who worked in city schools for 22 years, died Tuesday, Sept. 2, at ManorCare Health Services-Yeadon of a heart condition.

Offering comfort and care to all who came through her office, Mrs. Johnson held a number of posts in Philadelphia and New York throughout her 43-year nursing career.

A Philadelphia native, Mrs. Johnson went to New York after her high school graduation in 1946 to attend the Lincoln School for Nurses in the Bronx, which was founded in 1898 to train black women to become nurses. After graduating from the program in 1950, Mrs. Johnson remained in New York as a staff nurse at Lincoln Hospital, where she met her future husband of 48 years, Roosevelt Johnson.

She was a public health nurse for a short time with New York's Department of Health before the couple briefly moved to Oklahoma.

Mrs. Johnson's love of learning ultimately brought the couple back to Philadelphia and Temple University, where she earned a bachelor's degree in 1978 and a master's in education in 1982.

She attained her nurse-practitioner certification from the University of Pennsylvania in 1985 and continued working in Philadelphia schools until retiring in 1993.

Until her husband died from pneumonia in 1999, the couple enjoyed frequent getaways together.

Active within her neighborhood, she served on the Carroll Park Neighbors Council and frequented services at St. Matthew's A.M.E. Church.

She is survived by sons Robert and Ross; three grandchildren; a sister; and nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, Sept. 19, at Living Water United Church of Christ, 6520 Loretto Ave.

Condolences may be offered to the family via www.cwoodfh.com.