In Memoriam
Melrose High School
Class of 1976

Obituary

Corinne A. (Morris) Johnson of Andover, Massachusetts, beloved mother of James W. Johnson, died at the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston on Saturday, March 8, 2008, following a lengthy illness. She was 49 years old. Ms. Johnson was born in Melrose, Massachusetts on September 1, 1958, a beloved daughter of James L. and Julia P. "Pat" (Hayes) Morris. She was a graduate of Melrose High School, class of 1976. While majoring in Environmental Health at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, she survived Hodgkin's Disease during the summer of her freshman year at UMASS and graduated with her class in 1980. Following graduation, Corinne was employed by Avco Corporation and began leading teams in the analytical laboratory, implementing new hazardous waste removal regulations, at the company. Prior to joining General Electric, Corinne was a consultant in the Environmental Health and Safety practice at Arthur D. Little. It was during this time that Corinne completed her Master's Degree in Environmental Engineering from Northeastern University in 1989. In 1990, she joined General Electric's Aircraft Engine business to become the Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) manager in Lynn, Massachusetts. In 1993 she assumed responsibilities for the Utilities and Facilities Engineering organization. She gave birth to her beloved son, Jimmy Johnson on June 20, 1991. In 1995, Corinne was named Plant Manager of the Hooksett manufacturing facility in Hooksett, New Hampshire. During this time in her life, Corinne survived breast cancer in 1998. In 2000, Corinne achieved her "Master Black Belt" status at GE, overseeing all productivity initiatives for Aircraft Engines. Soon after, Corinne survived heart valve replacement surgery. In 2001, Corinne was appointed the Lynn Area Executive & General Manager and was responsible for the management of more than 2000 employees. In April, 2003, Corinne was honored at the State House with the UMASS Distinguished Alumni Award.

She was on the Board of Trustees for the North Shore Medical Center, a founding member of the UMASS Alumni Club, Boston, former member of Girl's Incorporated of Lynn, MA and a member of the G.E. Women's Network. In her spare time, Corinne loved to travel, listen to music, garden, Andover High School sports and politics. Above all she enjoyed her many close friends, family and co-workers. On March 8, 2008, Corinne succumbed to Pancreatic Cancer. She will be very sorely missed by her beloved son; Jimmy W. Johnson of Andover, parents; James L. and Julia P. "Pat"(Hayes) Morris of Melrose, Carol M. and her husband David L. Galvin of Topsfield, Steven R. and his wife Carrie L. Morris of Glen Ellyn, Illinois and James L. and his wife Lisa M. Morris of Cape Elizabeth, Maine, nieces and nephews; Julie and Lindsay Galvin, Madeline and Megan Morris and Nolan, Mitchell and Eva Morris. Her funeral mass was celebrated in St. Augustine Church, 43 Essex Street, Andover, Wednesday, March 12, 2008, at 10:30 AM. Many relatives and friends attended. Calling hours were held in the Burke-Magliozzi Funeral Home, 390 North Main Street, Andover, Tuesday, March 11, 2008, from 4 to 8 PM. Burial was in West Parish Garden Cemetery, Andover. Donations in Corinne's memory may be made to the Lustgarten Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research, 1111 Stewart Avenue, Bethpage, NY 11714. Corrinne Johnson, 49, GE Executive Kathy McCabe – Boston Globe Corinne A. Johnson, the first female general manager at General Electric Co.s aircraft engine plant in Lynn, walked the shop floor to meet workers. At GE Aviation, based in Cincinnati, she lobbied for the plant to build more engines for fighter jets, attack helicopters, and Marine One, the presidential chopper.

At Girls Inc. of Lynn, where she once served on the board of directors, she encouraged teenage girls to study math and science and think about careers in engineering. She arranged for women engineers at the Lynn plant to teach robotics after school to middle schoolers. "She was a real advocate for girls," said Patricia Driscoll, executive director of Girls Inc. of Lynn. "She really broke the glass ceiling herself, and wanted them to know anything is possible."

Corinne (Morris) Johnson, a Melrose native, died March 8 at Massachusetts General Hospital. She was 49 and had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in November. Her funeral Mass was said Wednesday at St. Augustine Church in Andover. She lived in Andover with her son, James W. Johnson, 16, a sophomore at Andover High School.

At the funeral, the younger Johnson, who plays football, basketball, and lacrosse, remembered his mother as his "number one fan. . . even if she didn't always know the rules," recalled his aunt, Carol Morris Galvin, of Topsfield.

His mother was a key player in local business circles. She was a trustee of North Shore Medical Center in Salem, a founding member of the University of Massachusetts Club in Boston, and was a member of the GE Women's Network, which mentors' women across all business units of the Connecticut-based company. As general manager of GE in Lynn, Johnson also held the title of area executive, making her the company's highest-ranking executive in Greater Boston. Jeffrey R. Immelt, chairman and chief executive officer of GE, attended her wake last week at the Burke-Magliozzi Funeral Home in Andover. Johnson, who graduated from Melrose High School in 1976, was diagnosed with Hodgkins disease the summer after her freshman year at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. She recovered in time to graduate with her class in 1980 with a degree in environmental health. She later earned a master's degree in environmental engineering from Northeastern University.

In addition to her son and Galvin her sister, she leaves her parents, James L. and Julia P. "Pat" Morris of Melrose; and two brothers, Steven R. Morris of Glen Ellyn, Ill., and James L. Morris of Cape Elizabeth, Maine.

Burial was in West Parish Cemetery in Andover.