Monna Lee Johns

Johns, Monna Lee, 88, of Cover Hill, Johnstown, PA , died April 20, 2024, at Select Specialty Hospital in Johnstown.

Born August 10, 1935, in the Walnut Grove section of Johnstown at “The House at the Loop,” home of her grandparents, Charles A. and Louisa J. Murphy.  Daughter of Carl Edward Momberger, Sr. and former Pearl Roberta Rose Murphy.  Preceded in death by parents, husband Charles Dewey Johns, infant brothers Carl Edward, Jr. and Edwin Lon, brother Robert Eugene and nephew Jody Paul Momberger, and special friends, Dolores, Pat, Maxine and Betty.

 Survived by son Brian Edward Johns; son Keith Alan Johns and wife Colleen L. (Bernot) and former wife Tracey Lynn (Miller) Johns; grandson Derrick Evan Johns and partner Amy (Gibbs) Cain and step-daughter Colby Elizabeth Cain; grandson Cory Branden Johns and wife Emily (Shaffer) and children Jaelynn Danielle Johns and Jace Charles Johns; granddaughter Brittany Nicole Johns and children Autumn-Rose Eliszabeth Headrick, Kyleigh Iszabella Johns and Kayden Alexander Johns.  Sister-in-law Connie Lynn (Serventi) Momberger  and nephews Scott Carl, Robert Lon, Todd Michael and families; many other family members and friends too numerous to mention here; cats Tsofia and Nea; deer, chickens and turkeys and hopefully Willie, the runaway turtle. Also survived by firstborn son Richard Lee Johns, whom she loved dearly.

            Monna was a 1953 graduate of Dale High School, former employee of Johnstown Cut Flower where she worked with her father who was the rose grower, and in the mailroom at The Tribune Democrat.  She was a spoiled child who grew into a spoiled adult.  Throughout her life she played the accordion and alto horn (so she could get into the football games for free), she competed (not winning) in a local beauty contest; never known to be a girly girl, ice skated, collected stray animals, enjoyed amusement park rides (Max), was an outstanding basketball player, and mentioned in a newspaper article “Girl breaks finger playing football” (slow news day in Johnstown).

            She loved the outdoors and gardening, especially dahlias, fishing with Charlie and the grandkids, snowmobiling with the Cover Hill Gang (definitely not Charlie), traveling anytime / anywhere / with anyone (inherited trait from Louisa, suitcase always packed) including seven European trips and one to Canada with the Lefflers, cross country with Charlie (more often with Dolores and crew) and fifty annual camping trips to Assateague Island, MD.  She didn’t like to cook but loved to eat (NOT VEGGIES and NO WATER!).  The first thing she said getting into the car was always “Where are we going to eat?” She was a season ticketholder for the Johnstown Chiefs and the Tomahawks (yes, her name really is on her chair).  She was active at different times in Beta Sigma Phi Sorority, Conemaugh Valley PTA, Cover Hill Ladies Auxiliary (past president), County Auxiliary, Wayside Garden Club (past president), Airport Snowmobile Club and Friends of Haiti (two missionary trips). She had a life well lived and didn’t want to miss anything. 

          Monna was never on time for anything in her entire life.  Most people knew to tell her they'd pick her up at least thirty minutes before actually arriving.  Earlier this March, when the doctor told us that she shouldn't even be alive, true to form, it took Mum another four weeks to get ready to go.  

            Our family would like to thank all of our friends for their continued prayers, the nursing staffs at Passavant Hospital and Select Specialty Hospital for the care she received, and our newest friends at Phoenix Physical Therapy. Friends will be received 2-8pm Thursday at Geisel Funeral Home – Johnstown and 10 am until time of service at 11 am Friday at the funeral home Rev. Nancy Hoover officiating. Interment Grandview Cemetery.

            In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, Special Olympics, Cover Hill Volunteer Fire Company, or Sandyvale Memorial Gardens and Conservancy.

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