Carol Lee Johnson

Carol Lee (Stapleton) Johnson, 75, passed away in peaceful strength and dignity on November 28, 2022. She was born to the late Frederick Allen and Mary Louise (Moran) Stapleton on December 31, 1946 in Altoona, PA. Carol Lee graduated from Fairfax High School (Fairfax, VA) in 1964 and started working for the Social Security Administration in Washington, D.C. On a fate-filled bus trip home from work one evening, a local college student taking a break from his studies, boarded the bus and sat down next to her – the rest, as they say, is history.

Carol Lee married that student, Edward R. Johnson, on November 19, 1966 – reaching 56 years of marriage by the time she passed. Together, they raised 4 children: Michael (Laurie), Rebecca (Dan), Steven (Bridget) and Jana (Joel). Carol Lee took immense pride and joy in each of her 6 grandchildren – engaging in and encouraging their unique interests and talents: Rowan (18), Emily (16), Kenna (14), Chloe (11), Hannah (10), and Logan (10). Carol Lee is also survived by 6 siblings: Tommy (Maria) Stapleton, MaryAnn (Gary) Dotson, Richard Stapleton, Freddie Stapleton, Sean (Joy) Stapleton, and Monica Stapleton and a host of nieces and nephews.

It takes a strong person to be married to a Navy Commander – Ed became a pilot for the U.S. Navy and during his 20+ years of service, they moved several times and he would go on months-long deployments – Carol Lee took it all in stride, taking such great care of the family in his absence. After his retirement from the Navy, they settled in Ligonier, Pennsylvania – Carol Lee loved the quaintness of this cute town and maintained a beautiful home there. Once all of the kids were off on their own, they started to split their time each year between Florida and their land in Donegal, PA, lovingly referred to as “The Farm.”

Some of her favorite things to do included Goodwill treasure-hunting, coloring, collecting chickens, and doing anything and everything with her loved ones. When Ed and Carol Lee had visitors in Florida, they would often take them on a trip to visit the Loggerhead Marinelife Center, where injured or sick sea turtles are rescued, nursed back to health, and released back into the ocean. She especially loved taking pictures of her guests on a special turtle – creating many wonderful, lasting memories.

For those interested in honoring her memory, the family is collecting donations for the Loggerhead Marinelife Center. Money donated will go towards the purchase of an engraved paver that will be placed in the walkway of their new facility and the naming of a baby hatchling in Carol Lee’s name. All additional donations will go directly to the Loggerhead Marinelife Center – to learn more and/or to donate in her memory, please visit: www.gofundme.com/carol-turtles.

Family and friends are also welcomed to join us in celebrating her life on December 11th from 11am – 1:30pm at Green Acres Center in Fairfax, Virginia. If you would like to attend, please RSVP (1 per family) at the following link: bit.ly/carol-RSVP