Obituary of Gabrielle M. Johnson

Gabrielle A. (Breton) Major Johnson, age 100, formerly of East Hartford, died September 19, 2018. at St. Joseph's Residence, Enfield. She was born in Stornoway, Quebec, Canada to the late Belleham and Adiana Breton on December 19, 1917.  She is predeceased by 10 siblings and their spouses.  At 18 years of age she moved to Timmins, Ontario where she met Moise A. Major.  They married on Dec 30, 1939, and together they had a family and immigrated to the United States in 1953, settling in East Hartford, CT.  The family lived on Maplewood Avenue and Gabrielle went to work at First National Bakery, a short walk from home, in 1957.  She worked there for 20 years frosting cakes. Her husband Moise died in 1968.  In 1979 she married John (Jerry) R. Johnson, a widower who had been her neighbor for decades.  Gabby was active in the local French Canadian community, and enjoyed playing cards at the Senior Center and caring for her home.  She made friends very easily and will always be remembered as the lady with the heavy French accent and the quick sense of humor. She was preceded in death by her husband Moise Major, and her second husband Jerry Johnson, as well as her beloved son Andre J. Major of East Hartford.  She is survived by her devoted daughter Diane Burke and her husband Joseph of Windsor, her son John M. Major and his wife Barbara of Deerfield Beach, FL and her daughter Claire M. Maragnano, of Hampstead, NC, widow of John G. Maragnano.  Surviving grandchildren are John Major and wife Amy of Ft. Lauderdale, FL, Christine Potter of Deerfield Beach, FL, Jim Maragnano and wife Lisa of Georgetown, TN, Laura Erickson of Hampstead, NC, Mark Maragnano and wife Bernadette of Attleboro, MA, Greg Burke and wife Ann of Colchester, Michael Burke and wife Kristin of Manchester, Andre Justin Major and wife Sarah of Brooklyn, NY, and Gina Major of Hartford.  She is also survived by 13 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great-grandchildren. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday Sept. 25 at 11am in St Joseph's Residence. Burial will follow in St. Mary's Cemetery, East Hartford. Friends may call at the St. Joseph's Residence on Monday, Sept. 24 from 5-7pm. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to St. Joseph's Residence, Little Sisters of the Poor, 1365 Enfield Street, Enfield, CT 06082-4900. Mulryan Funeral Home of Glastonbury has care of the arrangements. For online condolences please visit www.mulryanfh.com.