Notes for Sophie Johnson: From a letter written by Aunt Elsie to Marie (1966)
SOPHIE JOHNSON STORY: One day John Simichich, who delivered fresh fish every Friday, told Mother about an orphan girl,13, badly abused by her aunt and uncle, who had mentioned to him that they wished she didn't live with them, "another mouth to feed",etc. He recommended Sophie highly, so Mother told him to bring her over, and he did. After Sophie had been with us a few weeks, the aunt and uncle showed up one day, all worked up: "we want Sophie if you still have her". Mother brought Sophie to the door, and they yanked at her: "come home with us, these people are CATHOLICS ! THEY HAVE HORNS !" "No they don't " and she clung to Mother. "They'll beat you and take away your clothes". "No they haven't beaten me, and you did! AND they did take my clothes and burned them up. Mrs. Hewitt made me a lot of nice NEW clothes, and Mr. Hewitt took me downtown and bought me new shoes! they were ashamed to have anyone see me in the rags I had when I came here". They grabbed her again: "Catholics eat little babies!" "No they don't -they HAVE a darling baby and I won't leave it!" They told her that if she didn't come with them right then, they'd "disown" her and she'd never see them again. She clung harder to mother, said "if you will keep me, I'd rather stay here". Mother told her that they WOULD keep her and Sophie ran into the house, crying with relief, and was always "one of the family"; absolutely no difference between her and the rest of us children. Mother, knowing she was a non-Catholic, had her enrolled in Denny school. Then 13, she had no schooling so was placed in the second grade where she was taunted because of her ignorance and size by classmates. So Sophie begged to be sent to Sacred Heart with us. Mother helped her and she had Sisters tutor her, and she was placed in the fourth grade. She got along beautifully. When she was 17 she decided to become a Catholic, and of course, Mother and Dad were sponsors. Four years later she became Sister Mary Adriana, in the Holy Name Order.
More About Sophie Johnson: Occupation: Sister Mary Adriana of the Holy Name Sisters.
Sophie Johnson (b. Jul 11, d. Oct 3, 1962)
Notes for Sophie Johnson: