Constance K. Johnson

Constance Katherine Johnson was called home on 2/17/2021. Connie was born February 1937 in Newark, NJ, daughter of the late Lillian (Zarra) and Edward Cerato. Connie was a proud graduate of St. Vincent Academy Grammar and High Schools (with honors) in Newark. She furthered her education at the Cittone Business Institute and Brookdale Community College, taking night classes while working full-time. Her career in business encompassed 25+ years. She retired in 2002, as Administrative Assistant to the Senior Vice President of Basic Research at Merck Research Laboratories in West Point, PA, having relocated from NJ in 1989. Connie is survived by her devoted husband Bob, five children and their spouses Dr. Edward Manzella (Jodi), Dr. Victor Manzella (Genny), Luisa Chase (Rick), Liliana Decker (Dave), Dr. John Manzella, Jr, step-sons Kevin (Rosanne), David, and Robert (Kathy) and her extended family (formed by love) Dr. Andrew Wakstein (Peg). Connie’s favorite role was ”Grammy” to her 15 grandchildren; Nichole (Matt), John, Helena (Dan), Marisa (Kirk), Tyler, Danny, Derick, Edward, Katherine, Lili, David, Moira, Aidan, Victor and Michael and six great-grandchildren: Madelyn, Alexandra, Sean, Grayson, Alessandro and Caroline. Whether a sporting event, dance recital or school activity, she was always there for her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She delighted in introducing her “girls,” (three generations) to Broadway, filling plastic eggs for the family “annual” Easter egg hunt, cleaning crabs for their Summer spaghetti crab fest; doing for her family is what made her happiest. Connie enjoyed writing, many years ago she was editor of her high school newspaper. For her 50th Class reunion, she updated the 1954 yearbook; this enabled her to renew many old friendships. She always wanted to write a book. Christmas 2009 her grandchildren gave her that book to write: “Grandparent’s Legacy.” The book, completed after five years, encompassed text and pictures from her grandparents forward to the birth of her first great-grandson; everyone was given a copy Christmas Eve 2014. Bob and Connie made many trips to Disney World with their grandchildren and great-grandchildren. These trips were always followed by a letter recapping each day; the trip would never be forgotten. For her 75th birthday, she chose a trip to Disney World with 17 family members. One of her greatest joys in life was making memories that would last a lifetime, and that she did! Connie and Bob made several trips to Europe and the Caribbean; Connie especially enjoyed their cruises and the summer vacations at Cape May. A special trip was taken for their 25th anniversary. They rode the Rocky Mountaineer train across Canada and a cruise to Alaska; that was special. She enjoyed most the trips to the Shrines at Lourdes in France, Medjugorje in Bosnia (where she and Bob climbed 3,000 feet to the top of Cross Mountain), and Fatima in Portugal. She was especially devoted to the Blessed Mother; her Rosary Beads were never out of reach. Connie was always asked for novenas, especially to St. Gerard Majella, and she prayed many; she was also able to visit his shrine in Mater Domini, Italy. With the help of this young Italian saint, several novenas were successful; those familiar with St. Gerard will understand. Connie graciously hosted many parties for family and friends; however, her favorite was the seven fishes Christmas Eve vigil for family and dearest friends. Her Italian heritage was important to her; she was so proud to be of Italian descent. She strived to make every occasion special, not only for her family, but for all who were a part of her life. She treasured the friendships that were made along all the paths that life took her; one thing for sure, her heart was an open book. Her sense of humor and life’s stories will not be forgotten and neither will she. Faith, family, and friendships were the foundation of Connie’s life; nothing mattered more. Her greatest blessing was being surrounded by those closest to her heart. Connie was a parishioner of St. Thomas More Church in Allentown. Prior to residing in Macungie, she was a daily Mass communicant at Mary Mother of the Redeemer Parish in North Wales, a Eucharistic Minister, a CCD teacher and served in several other parish ministries. She was a Eucharistic Apostle of the Divine Mercy, a Marian Helper, a graduate of the Church Ministry Institute of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, and a Dominican Associate with the Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine de Ricci. Family and friends are invited to attend her viewing at the J. S. Burkholder Funeral Home, 1601 W. Hamilton Street, Allentown from 6-8 P.M. on Monday, February 22, 2021 and on Tuesday, February 23, 2021 from 9:30-10:30 A.M. Friends are invited to meet at the Church and attend her Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 A.M. on Tuesday, at St. Thomas More Catholic Church, 1040 Flexer Avenue, Allentown. To livestream the funeral mass please visit: www.stmchurchallentown.org, look for and click on the youtube link, under the mass schedule. Interment will take place at St. John Neuman Cemetery in Chalfont, PA. In lieu of flowers, please consider contributions to the continued care of Grammy’s very special Lili. Checks made payable to: Liliana Decker c/o J.S. Burkholder Funeral Home, 1601 Hamilton St. Allentown, PA 18102.

Constance K. Johnson

February 17, 2021