GREENFIELD — Throughout their 55-year marriage, Lorraine Johnson was the supporting force behind the artistic career of her husband, Hale Johnson, his bedrock constant. The two were inseparable.
Since her death in 2016, Hale has sought a way to acknowledge Lorraine’s contribution to his career, as well as her volunteer work as a member of the Friends of the Greenfield Public Library. He has chosen to honor her memory by confirming a bequest of $500,000 to the Greenfield Public Library Foundation that will support the construction of the new library.
When Lorraine settled in Colrain in the mid-1960s, she found the setting of peace and quiet that enhanced her loving and creative spirit for the rest of her life. As an avid reader, she was led to explore many interests that sprang from her wide-ranging books. Among those subjects were working with cut flowers to develop two floral businesses, followed by her successful efforts to establish the Foundation for Fiber Arts in Amherst.
The love of books continued to speak to her, and in the early 2000s she joined the Friends of the Greenfield Public Library. As a member of the Friends, Lorraine worked with others in the group to elevate the many fundraising events to a much higher level.
That effort made possible the expansion of many library programs that proved beneficial to patrons of all ages. From toddlers to senior citizens, library users benefited from Lorraine’s effective efforts at the Greenfield Public Library.
“Lorraine was distinctive. In her own quiet way, she engaged others in the mission of the Friends,” wrote Karen Larabee, president of the Friends of the Greenfield Public Library. “She never wanted to be the center of attention; she gladly gave credit to others. But her own joy in books and the people who loved them, too, created a fresh spirit at the library and paid many unseen dividends.”
Kathy Cole, former president of the Foundation said, “This gift jump-starts again the campaign to raise $2 million for the new library. Hale’s is a gift of love, creating a true legacy for our city. It exemplifies the original vision of a cooperative, collaborative effort to build countywide services for lifelong learning, and for enrichment and fun among all the library’s partners: the Friends, Foundation, city and county governments and the reading public.”
A quiet reading area in the new library will be named in honor of Lorraine Johnson for her legacy of thoughtfulness and caring.
Terry Ruggles is a long-time resident of Greenfield and a member of the board of the Greenfield Public Library Foundation.