Pauline Agnes (Surovy) Johnson

Pauline Agnes Johnson was born in Cleveland, Ohio on June 29, 1931, to Kalman Surovy and Mary Surovy (Hlusak). She passed away peacefully on August 8, 2025.

She spent her childhood years in Cleveland growing up among a large and caring extended family. Pauline’s father, Kalman, passed away when she was 4 years old during the Great Depression. He ran a small corner grocery store and the family lived in an upstairs apartment. After Kalman’s death, Pauline’s uncles stepped in to run the store. Her grandparents, Anna Hlusak and John Hlusak, provided a stable and supportive family environment for Pauline and her older sisters Mary (Grabnic) and Anne (Belfiore). Early in life, Pauline learned the value of family and cherished the close bond with her sisters that lasted her entire life.

After graduating from John Adam’s High School, Pauline was employed at City Blue in Cleveland. She married Daniel Johnson in 1954. Pauline and Daniel had four children: Mark, Marcene, Matthew and Marlene. The family lived in Warrensville Heights for 15 years before moving to Painesvllle, Ohio where Pauline was employed as a teller for Key Bank. Her daughter Marlene died tragically in 1977 at age 15. Pauline’s strong faith helped guide her through this difficult time. She nursed her husband through his struggles with ALS while maintaining her bank job. In 2009, she relocated to Arizona. In her latter years, she thoroughly enjoyed her grandchildren and great grandchildren in Florida, Maine and Arizona. Her family was her treasure and a deep source of joy and happiness.

Pauline was a loving mother, grandmother, great grandmother, wife, aunt and friend. She valued people and showed them compassion and kindness with a smile. She had a long rich life. We are thankful to have shared it together.

Pauline was predeceased by her husband Daniel; daughter Marlene; parents Kalman and Mary Surovy; sisters Mary Grabnic and Anne Belfiore; brothers-in-law Mike Grabnic and Sam Belfiore; infant brother, Joseph Surovy; granddaughter, Lindsay Potocnik; niece, Jane Belfiore; uncle, Paul Hlusak and his wife, Evelyn Hlusak.

She’s is survived by son Mark Johnson (Lucy Breslin); daughter Marcene Gilson (Rick Gilson); son Matthew Johnson (Carmela Johnson); grandchildren: Brennen Gilson, Jourdan Gilson, Jacob Gilson, Alex Breslin-Johnson, Christopher Johnson, and Jennifer Johnson; great grandchildren: Aubree Daniels and Bradley Peralta; nieces and nephews: John Belfiore, Jim Belfiore, Joanne Cafarelli, Joyce Blatnik,  Janet Shunk, Jean Belfiore, Jeffery Belfiore, Mike Grabnic and Matthew Grabnic; and many wonderful great nieces and nephews.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 AM, Saturday, August 16, 2025, at St. Mary Catholic Church, 242 North State Street, Painesville, Ohio.  Burial will follow at Riverside Cemetery.

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