Antonia Johnson

antonia johnson

July 6, 1942 ~ February 12, 2022

Born in: Bakersfield, Ca
Resided in: Fremont, Ca

Antonia Johnson, 79, of Fremont California, Passed peacefully Saturday the 12th day of February 2022 at her residence in surrounded by her family and friends.

Antonia was born on July 6th of 1942. Antonia also Known as “Toni” was married to Joso T. Johnson for 59 years and is survived by 4 children; Stephanie Michelle Briseño (Johnson)married to Gregorio E. Briseño Sr., Joseph Anthony Johnson, Elizabeth Ann Vera (Johnson) and Christine Jovan Johnson. Grandchildren; Gregorio E. Briseño Jr., Thomas J. Briseño, Jose D. Briseño, Juan C. Briseño, Isaiah Vera, Sophia Vera, Joey vera-Johnson, Jolie A. Johnson, Mateo J. Johnson, Isabella Johnson-Peterson. Great-Grandchildren; Analicia M. Briseño, Noah N. Briseño, Marcella Joy. Toni is also survived by her siblings Joe Santa Cruz, Esther Santa Cruz, Cora Broderson, Peter Garcia and Lily Padilla. Also survived by Sandra Archacki and Esteban Soriano.

Antonia was born on a Monday afternoon on the 6th day of July in 1942. She was Delivered into this world at Kern General Hospital to Ramona Santa Cruz and Refugio Soriano. Antonia was the first born of five children on her mother’s side. Antonia attended school in Bakersfield until her Sophomore year at East Bakersfield High School. Toni, being the eldest, went to work at the age of 16 to help her mother support their family and had to drop out of high school. The family eventually moved to Oakland California where Toni met Joso and the two were married on February 24,1962. Toni and Joso moved from Oakland to Fremont when Joso was transferred to the General Motors plant in Fremont. Toni was a stay home mom who was actively involved with the Church and the community. When Toni’s oldest three children were enrolled in school she reentered the work force by becoming a class room aide. Toni was encouraged by one of her mentors Carmen Melendez to pursue a teaching credential so she did. Toni went to Ohlone college to finish getting her High school diploma in 1977 at the age of 36. In the Spring of 1978 a very pregnant Toni walked across the stage at Ohlone College with her Diploma. Her pursuit of her dream to teach continued from there when she graduated with her Associate degree and went on to Cal State Hayward where she received her Bachelor’s degree in Liberal Studies. This was all done while raising four kids and running a household. Toni while continuing her studies worked for the Fremont Unified School District first as an aide and then as a teacher with here Emergency credential. Toni worked as a bilingual educator at Blacow Elementary School and eventually retired from Vallejo Mills Elementary School. Toni was an educator in FUSD for 44 years and over 30 years as a teacher. Toni was heavily involved with the Catholic Church and was the President of the Guadalupano Society at Santa Paula Church. She helped lead the Guadalupanos in starting scholarships for High school graduates to go on to higher education, Get repairs and improvements done around the church and she organized the annual carnival that helped raise the funds necessary to fund the different ministries they supported.

Antonia Johnson was born with a servants heart and lived her life accordingly. From an early age Toni embraced the role of caretaker and loving others. Her heart was for God and she loved all His children. Toni as a young girl raised in a single parent home took care of her sisters and brothers and continued to be there for them through out her life. As a wife she loved her husband Joso whole heartedly and unconditionally, she supported him and throughout their entire marriage. Toni loved her children with the same love as she had for her husband always giving

them the encouragement and support they needed to pursue their dreams and goals. To those who were lucky enough to call her mom, sister or “honey” as Joso called her we were given the honor to be there and feel her love daily but she had a career as a teacher and her impact on the community she served was felt through out the city. Toni didn’t just embrace the children in her classroom she felt to reach a child she should reach the family. Toni would watch how her kids would come to class and ask how they were doing at home and then fill the needs of the families. She would teach not only her children in her class to read and write but at times their mothers or fathers as well. Toni would buy them groceries if needed and at Christmas she would secretly sponsor some of her poorest families by giving them an entire Christmas spread from the groceries presents and everything they would need to celebrate, even the tree and decorations. Her selfless giving wasn’t only possessions but her time, she would get to school early to ensure on a cold day’s her kids would have a warm classroom to come to and she would stay late after school to offer any help to her students. Toni never stopped loving her students she would follow up on them and encourage them long after they left her class. Toni loved serving as the President of the Guadalupanos society and serving the church. She would hold many of the meetings in our home and she would prepare food and she thrived in that role as hostess. Her place at the table wasn’t as important as the work that they were doing for the church and for Our Lord and Savior. Toni reflected on the role of education in her life and wanted to give that opportunity to other’s so she helped start and fund a scholarship for kids to go on to higher education.

Antonia Johnson was a woman of God who always went to Him first. She poured out her love to others blessing them in the name of God and reminding them of His love not only in her words but in her actions. The lessons she left behind were not only for her students but also for the rest of us to “be kind, always hug and to love one another as Christ loved us”. Her presence will be missed but her imprint lives on in her family, her ministries and her students. Our mom no matter how bad things looked would always say, “This is the day the Lord has made let us rejoice and be glad in it.”

The family will be having a Rosary and Viewing on Wednesday February 23,2022. The viewing will start at 4:00 pm and the Rosary will start at 5:00 pm. On Thursday February 24,2022, we will be having mass with a viewing. The viewing will start 10:30 am and the Mass will start at 11:30 am. Any flowers or gifts for the family may be sent to Chapel of the Angels 40842 Fremont Boulevard, Fremont, CA 94538. The services will be held at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish 41933 Blacow rd. Fremont Ca. 94538.

Services

Visitation: February 23, 2022 4:00 pm - March 29, 2024 4:45 pm

Room: -

Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish
41933 Blacow Rd.
Fremont, CA 94538

510-657-4043

Vigil/Rosary: February 23, 2022 4:45 pm - March 29, 2024 6:30 pm

Room: -

Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish
41933 Blacow Rd.
Fremont, CA 94538

510-657-4043

Visitation: February 24, 2022 10:30 am - March 29, 2024 11:30 am

Room: -

Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish
41933 Blacow Rd.
Fremont, CA 94538

510-657-4043

Funeral Mass: February 24, 2022 11:30 am - March 29, 2024 12:30 pm

Room: -

Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish
41933 Blacow Rd.
Fremont, CA 94538

510-657-4043

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