Obituary of Nancy Gloria Johnson

Nancy G. Malatesta Johnson Family and friends gathered Sunday, April 3rd at the Pacific Garden Chapel for a beautiful ceremony to celebrate the life of Nancy Malatesta Johnson who passed away peacefully Friday, April 1st at the age of 80. Nancy was a native of Santa Cruz, born on December 16, 1930 to Erma (Castagnola) and Enrico Malatesta. She attended Laurel Elementary School, then Mission Hill Junior High, and graduated from Santa Cruz High as the Salutatorian of her class in 1948. She married her high school sweetheart and "love of her life", Karl Roy Johnson on September 17, 1950. They enjoyed more than 60 years together and raised four children, Greg, Jody, Brad, and Kelly. Throughout her adult life, Nancy was involved in many local charities and community activities such as the Children's Home Society, JayCee's, and Miss California Pageant as well as volunteering her time to Scotts Valley Schools and Library. She also worked for Dominican Hospital in Human Resources and then for the Dominican Hospital Foundation totaling 26 years. She illustrated her artistic talents through sewing, knitting, needlepoint, quilting, and pottery, and loved to garden and cook. Nancy and Roy loved travel and enjoyed visiting the western United States, Hawaii, Canada, and Europe. She was proud of her Italian heritage and passed on several Italian traditions to her children, one being making homemade raviolis, a family endeavor celebrated every Christmas and accompanied by an astonishing menu of homemade appetizers, entrees and desserts. She cherished her time with family and friends, often centered around other incredible meals prepared by her and Roy. Her children and grandchildren learned many things through the example she set. Together, Nancy and Roy created a life for all of us filled with joy and opportunity. Every day, she was grateful for the gifts that came her way and met the challenges she was given with grace and unwavering strength. We were all so fortunate to have Nonni Nancy in our lives. She will remain in all our hearts as we hold the cherished memories and values she passed on to us. Nancy is survived by her loving husband Roy, children Greg (wife Jackie) Johnson, Brad (wife Sue) Johnson, Jody Johnson (Bryan Price), Kelly (husband Doug) Wood and 10 grandchildren she absolutely adored, Oryan, Micaela, Alison, Kim, Jacob, Kevin, Cody, Cameron, Brett, and Lauren. She is also survived by her sister, Eleanor Rinaldi of Watsonville, many nieces and nephews, and numerous cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Marie Malatesta. The service was performed by Father Mike Marini and the arrangements were under the direction of Gary Benito of Benito & Azzaro Pacific Gardens Chapel to whom the family is very grateful. The family requests that contributions in memory of Nancy Johnson be made to your favorite charity.