Marie Johnson
POLSON — Marie Lorraine (McNally) Johnson began her life on Dec. 9, 1924, and peacefully went to her rest on April 22, 2018. Marie was born in New York, New York to Lorrinda and Frank McNally. She graduated from high school at Public School No. 52 in New York.
At the age of nineteen, in October, 1944, Marie became a telephone operator in New York for American Telephone and Telegraph Company. Marie and her best friend, Lucille (Nessler) Smith, made a decision to move to the Seattle area to continue their work for AT&T during WWII. In Seattle they were employed as operators serving our military troops as they returned state side at the end of the war. Part of their job was to welcome the military members home and assist them in making those important first calls to family members after long periods of separation. This was a job that Marie enjoyed and she was proud to serve in this way.
It was in Seattle that she met Robert Calvin Smith. They were married and soon Bob returned with his bride to his hometown of Polson. Here they raised their three children Lucille, Bob and Brian.
Later in life Marie married Arle (Swede) Johnson. Marie and Swede enjoyed many years fishing the lakes of Montana, playing cards with friends, and vacationing along the west coast each fall.
Survivors include her children, Lucille (Bill) Prenevost and their two children, Heather and Devin; her oldest son, Bob (Kathy) Smith and their sons, Dusty and Shawn; and her youngest son, Brian (Julie) Smith and their two children, Christina and Bryce. In addition to her six grandchildren Marie has 18 great-grandchildren.
There will be a private graveside service for immediate family.
Memorials may be made to the Polson City Library or the Mission Valley Animal Shelter.
