Ruth Ann Johnson

Ruth Ann Johnson of McLean, Virginia, passed away peacefully on April 29, 2026, after a brief stay in hospice. Ruth was born in Lowell Massachusetts on January 29, 1938, to Ruth Riddick and Daniel Everett Martin. She was predeceased by her parents and brothers Hugh, Robert, Charles, Donald and Daniel; sisters Betty and Evelyn; and stepson Richard Scott Johnson. She was married to Colonel Frederick S. Johnson USMC (Ret) for 48 years until his passing in 2024. A previous marriage to LtCol Robert W. Shaw USMC ended in divorce.

Ruth grew up in Somerville, Massachusetts and graduated from Somerville High School. She was noted as a bright student who always had a book in hand. Upon graduation she worked at the Shawmut National Bank international wire transfer department. She was proud to be a Marine wife for 66 years, becoming well versed in its ethos and even reading – and highlighting – her husband’s military manuals. Notably she managed a growing household as a single parent during her husband’s many extended deployments. She weathered frequent moves, including 12 in the first nine years. She was proud to commission two sons as Marine officers.

Ruth was a hands-on mother, and visitors often marveled at how orderly her home was. She encouraged her children academically and enjoyed reading, gardening, and Friday happy hours with the neighbors.

Her children especially remember her regular trips to the library, where she would check out a beach bag full of books, no one they know is more widely read.

She was smart, engaging, ready for fun, but you sure didn’t want to try to get one over her. She quelled her rambunctious children by rattling a kitchen drawer and yelling, “Where’s my ruler?”. That signal calmed all storms but was always an idle threat.

Once her children were raised, Ruth took many college courses at the University of South Carolina (USC) and aced them all. She even became a “little sister” at son Scott’s USC fraternity and lent support for their Friday afternoon libations.

She resumed her banking career, rising from teller to Vice President in charge of 25 branches within 10 years for Central Fidelity Bank, which eventually became Wells Fargo. Imagine what she might have achieved if she started out today? She and Fred retired to Ocean City, Maryland for 15 years, overlooking the bay, riding bikes, and dancing with their friends. Her grandchildren remember fun visits to Ocean City, playing Yahtzee, devouring “the world’s best” pull-apart bread and being gob smacked by Grandma’s encyclopedic knowledge of history. Ruth and Fred eventually moved to the Vinson Hall retirement community in McLean where she lived for the past eight years.

Ruth is survived by her children Robert (Michelle) Shaw II of McLean, Lt. Col. Scott (Carla) Shaw USMC (Ret.) of Springfield, David (Denise) Shaw of Oakton, Kimberly (Chris) Valtin of Charlottesville and Elizabeth (Christian) Schweiger of Winchester; stepsons Frederick (Kathy) S. Johnson, Jr. of Fredericksburg and Allan Johnson of Woodbridge; seven grandchildren and six great grandchildren. Ruth’s interment will occur at Arlington National Cemetery on a future date. The family would like to thank the caring staff of The Sylvestry at Vinson Hall for their dedicated, professional service, especially Kimberly Moore and Joana Danquah.