Philanthropist Pat Johnson, who along with her husband founded the Richard and Pat Johnson Palm Beach County History Museum in West Palm Beach, died July 4, 2025, at age 94.
Mrs. Johnson died at her home on Everglades Island in Palm Beach “with her beloved family by her side,” as was her wish, her daughter Cathy Flagg told the Daily News July 10.
Mrs. Johnson attended elementary and middle schools in West Palm Beach and graduated from Palm Beach High School in 1948 before heading to the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, Virginia. After two years there she transferred to the University of Florida.
She met the love of her life, Richard (Dick) Salisbury Johnson, as he was heading off to Duke University, the family obituary said. A long-distance romance ensued. They were married August 4, 1951, and had 61 years together, the family said. Mr. Johnson died Aug. 25, 2012.
The Johnsons donated the lead gift of $1.25 million to the Historical Society of Palm Beach County to help build the history museum, which opened in 2008. It is housed on the second floor of the restored 1916 Courthouse in West Palm Beach.
In a statement about Mrs. Johnson’s death, the museum said her “dedication and passion shaped the heart of our community’s historical legacy.”
Her “unwavering commitment to preserving Palm Beach County’s rich past has left an indelible mark. Her generosity and care transformed the museum into a vibrant space where stories spanning 12,000 years come alive for visitors and students alike,” the museum said.
Mrs. Johnson’s impact, it said, “lives on through every exhibit, every student visit, and every historical discovery we share.”
In addition to the museum, Mrs. Johnson was involved in a variety of charitable causes including the Rehabilitation Center for Children and Adults; the Brady Urological Institute at Johns Hopkins University; Duke Children’s Hospital, where she served on the Board of Visitors; and Duke University Medical Center, where she and her husband established the Richard and Pat Johnson University Professorship in Cardiovascular Genomics.
Palm Beach Island Hospice, the American Heart Association, and the Junior League of the Palm Beaches were among the other organizations with which she was involved.
Mrs. Johnson also gave of her time to St. Mary’s Medical Center, where she volunteered for many years in the physical therapy department.
In a July 10 statement to the Daily News, St. Mary’s CEO Cynthia McCauley said, “the Johnson family’s dedication to St. Mary’s, through leadership, volunteerism, and philanthropy, has left a lasting impact on our hospital. Pat’s devotion to the Sisters and to the growth of our programs and services helped shape St. Mary’s into the comprehensive medical center it is today.
“We extend our heartfelt condolences to the Johnson family. Pat’s legacy of compassion, commitment, and service will forever remain a part of the fabric of St. Mary’s.”
Mrs. Johnson was a member of the Intracoastal Health Foundation Trustees’ Board of Advisors and active with the Palm Beach Atlantic University Women of Distinction Committee, which honored her with its Women of Distinction Award in 2001.
In a statement, Frances Fisher, chair of PBA’s Women of Distinction Committee, said Mrs. Johnson “was an inspiration to all who knew her. Her dedication to family, faith and our community is a remarkable example of what it means to be a Woman of Distinction.”
She played an early and instrumental role in supporting the Women of Distinction to uplift outstanding women leaders and change lives for deserving female scholars, Fisher said, adding, “her legacy will continue to be cherished and celebrated by her many friends, family members and fellow Women of Distinction.”
Flagg told the Daily News on July 10 that the most important thing she wanted people to know about her mother was that “she was the kindest, most loving person I’ve ever met. She’s my best friend.”
Mrs. Johnson had been in fairly good health until a month or so ago, Flagg said, as she recalled memories of her mother. Her favorite memories and that of her siblings, Flagg said, surround the holidays. Her mother loved them all, but especially Christmas, when she would shop individually for her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. “She made holidays so special for all of us.”
Asked about the lessons learned from her mother, Flagg said: “To be a good person, to give back and to treat people the way that you want to be treated. She has three caregivers who all treated her as their mom, and they’re having as hard a time as we are.”
Mrs. Johnson was involved in many causes that she cared about, but Flagg said she thinks her mother would consider her family her greatest legacy.
Mrs. Johnson was a longtime member of The Everglades Club, The Sailfish Club and Club Colette.
Mrs. Johnson is survived by five children, Patt Sned (Bill), Cathy Flagg (Jack), Helene Austin (Keith), Richard Johnson Jr. (Charlene), and Scott Johnson (Kristy); 14 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and her brother, Clyde Seaton (Janet).
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Richard and Pat Johnson Palm Beach County History Museum or the Rehabilitation Center for Children and Adults.
Funeral services are planned for 11 a.m. July 25 at The Episcopal Church of Bethesda-by-the-Sea in Palm Beach.
Carol Rose is a journalist at the Palm Beach Daily News, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach her at crose@pbdailynews.com. Help support our journalism. Subscribe today.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Daily News: Pat Johnson, philanthropist and co-founder of Palm Beach County History Museum, dies at 94
Reporting by Carol Rose, Palm Beach Daily News / Palm Beach Daily News
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