Marily Farnsworth Johnson, a fourth generation Californian, passed away peacefully, surrounded by close family on March 18, 2025 in
Berkeley, California.
She was born in 1931 in Woodland, CA to Robinson Farnsworth and Carolyn Bruner Farnsworth. She grew up on the family farm which was homesteaded by her great grandfather in 1855 in Grimes, CA. She attended high school at Colusa High, graduating at the age of 16. When she was 17, she soloed her father’s airplane from the farm’s dirt runway. While growing up on the farm, Marily enjoyed playing in the wheat fields and helping her father around the farm. One of her greatest joys was learning to play the piano. She was wonderfully accomplished and throughout her life was a sought after accompanist for her tremendous skill
and musicianship.
Marily attended University of California, Berkeley, from 1949-1952 graduating with a Bachelor Degree. At Cal she was active in Chi Omega sorority and she met her future husband, Tom Johnson. Tom and Marily were married on February 1, 1953.
After their marriage, Tom and Marily drove cross-country from California to Virginia where Tom fulfilled his two years of military service. After his service they returned to CA and settled in Oakland, eventually moving to Berkeley where Tom worked in the Berkeley Police Department, ultimately leading the department as Chief before his retirement.
During their years before retirement Marily was very active in many local service clubs and charities including Meals on Wheels, Berkeley High School Boosters (where her children Bob and Sue attended high school), Berkeley Breakfast Club and Berkeley Police Wives. She also served on the Board of Directors of Alta Bates Summit Association and played golf at Claremont Country Club where she served as Women’s Captain. She and Tom were avid Cal Football fans and enthusiastically hold season tickets.
Marily will be remembered and dearly missed by everyone who knew her for her optimism, generosity, engaging personality and ability to clear out obstacles and “get things done”. She had a Superpower that made everyone feel that they were important and any problem they faced would be solved; if not through sheer willpower, then chocolate
chip cookies.
Marily is survived by her husband of 72 years, Tom Johnson, daughter Sue, son Bob and his wife, Ann, grandchildren Melissa, Christine (Andy), Molly and Kelly (Dave) and bonus grandchildren Stephanie (Sean), Andy (Samantha) and Greg (Paula). She was predeceased by her brother Bob and son-in-law Andy.
A Celebration of Marily’s Life, will be held at Claremont Country Club on May 16th at 2PM. Go to MarilyFJohnson@gmail.com to RSVP. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to American Heart Association, American Cancer Society, or Cal Golf.
Thursday, June 19, 2025