Mrs. Shirley Ann Johnson transitioned peacefully from her earthly bonds on Aug. 16, 2025, at her residence in the Bronx, N.Y.
Shirley was the youngest of six children. She was born on Aug. 13, 1953, to the late James and Mary Johnson in Northampton County.
Shirley graduated from Northampton High School and began a 32-year career in the banking industry, working for the former Chemical Bank in branch operations and later as an executive secretary at JPMorgan Chase, where she met her husband, Robert Russell.
After her work life ended in 2004, Shirley fulfilled her mission of attaining a college degree, graduating from City University of New York (CUNY) School of Professional Studies with a bachelor’s degree in health information management.
Shirley lived her life dedicated to her family and devoted to the service of others, so when she was diagnosed with cancer, she became an energized volunteer and passionate advocate for those similarly affected by cancer, joining Montefiore Hospital Bronx Oncology Living Daily (BOLD) peer group of survivors. She embarked on speaking engagements with community organizations and churches, visited infusion centers to inform patients of BOLD support services, and became a member of a community advisory board advocating for better health care in her underserved minority neighborhood. Shirley’s selfless act of caring and sharing her cancer journey provided life-changing help to those overwhelmed by their diagnoses.
Shirley leaves to mourn her loving husband of 34 years, Robert Russell, along with her precious daughter, Regina Russell; her aunt, Christine Rowley; her sisters, Mary Thomas and Bertha Garrison; her brothers, James Johnson, Charles Johnson, and Clifton Johnson; her nieces, Anita Greaves (son, Jonathan), Wanda Burton (son, Cameron), Lakesha Brown (sons, Jaquan, Javon, and Jabari), Patricia Stull, Arletria Renee Hickman, and Tiffany Johnson; her nephews, Michael Johnson, Christopher Johnson, Theo Johnson, Clifton Johnson, Michael Garrison, Kevin Garrison and Kenneth Johnson; her cousins, Doris Rowley-Hoyte, Phil Rowley, Elania Lanier, Yolanda Lanier-Hassan, Tracey Lanier, Andrea Lanier-Mays, Leaser Williams, Connie Cottrell, et al.; her sisters-in-law, Marietta Johnson, Debra Johnson, and Patricia Watler-Johnson; her friends, Catherine “Loretta” Hampton, Eleanor Brown, Denise Mack, Destiney Kirby, MD, and Elizabeth Chuang, MD; her BOLD family; her Building 9 Tenants Association family; and many others.
Shirley was well-loved and will continue to be so, even after her passing. Her memory will live in her family and friends’ hearts eternally.
