Marguerite Fullerton Johnson, the founder of the former Session House Nursery School in East Hampton, died on Feb. 23 at the Woodstock Terrace assisted living facility in Woodstock, Vt. She was 89.
While working at the nursery school, in 1982 Ms. Johnson launched Hampton Party Tents, a business that provided tents for all occasions, and operated it for 10 years. After retiring, she and her husband, Martin Johnson, moved to South Woodstock, Vt.
Born on Oct. 9, 1930, in South Woodstock to Milton Fullerton and the former Mary Lincoln, she was a graduate of Woodstock High School and the University of Vermont, where she was the first woman to earn a degree in personnel management, according to her family. She later earned a master’s degree in early childhood education.
After college, she lived in Boston and worked as an assistant personnel director for an insurance company. In 1954, she married Mr. Johnson, who had grown up in East Hampton, and the couple settled here. He died before her.
Ms. Johnson was a longtime member of the East Hampton Presbyterian Church, for which she served as a trustee, an ordained elder, and president of the women’s association. In Vermont, she was a member of the South Woodstock Community Church and served on its board.
She was a hospice volunteer and a member of several educational associations as well as the Ramblers, a group for those who love walking outdoors, and the International Order of the King’s Daughters and Sons, a Christian service organization.
She is survived by a daughter, Sandra Johnson of Conewango Valley, N.Y., a son, Mark Arvid of London, five grandchildren, and two great-granddaughters. Three brothers, Erwin Fullerton, Milton Fullerton, and Bruce Fullerton, and a sister, Diane Fullerton Thurber, also survive. A daughter, Linda Johnson, died before her.
A service will be held at a date to be determined.
The family has suggested memorial donations to Bayada Hospice, 316 Main Street, Unit EH-6, Norwich, Vt. 05055.
Correction: An earlier version of this obituary gave an incorrect last name for a daughter who predeceased Ms. Johnson. She was Linda Johnson.
