Vilma Teresa Johnson Ward was born on January 14th, 1948 in San Jose, Costa Rica to David Solomon Johnson Scott and Rachel Ward McDonald. The sixth of seven children, she was born  shortly after the family moved from Puerto Limón to the Barrio Cuba neighborhood of San Jose.

Vilma developed many close friendships in her neighborhood and at her schools. She excelled in  track (hurdles), drawing groans from fellow competitors who knew that when she showed up to  race, she was going to win. Vilma loved music and sewing, often spending hours designing and  creating amazing garments while listening to music. She completed her secondary education at el  Liceo Del Sur and studied music at La Universidad De Costa Rica, becoming an accomplished  pianist and vocalist. Having been raised Roman Catholic, she found the Episcopal Church through  her involvement with the Hogar Escuela Missión of San Felipe y Santiago in San Jose.

Shortly after and inspired by her aunt and older brother who had previously spent time in the  Boston area, Vilma moved to Newton, MA where she studied English at Newton North High  School while working as a housekeeper. She later became certified as a home health aide and embarked on a career with the Visiting Nurses Association of Boston.

Around this time she joined St. John's St. James's Episcopal Church in Roxbury, where she met  Walter Daniel. She and Walter had their son, Edwin, in 1982. Vilma was very involved at St. John's  St. James's, serving as the Junior Warden for over twenty years. Just prior to Edwin's birth, Vilma  facilitated the emigration of her sister Lupita and nephew Newton from Costa Rica.

Vilma adored her work as a visiting nurse and was a treasured caretaker to many. Along with her  steadfast, dignified and skilled care, she also offered unique wisdom and perspective and became very close with her clients. In addition to her work with her patients, Vilma was highly sought after as a seamstress. Throughout the years, Vilma sewed stunning wedding gowns, prom dresses, shirts,  skirts and more, only needing simple material to make magic happen. She even made the habits of  the Sisters of The Society of St. Margaret and would later alter Edwin's clergy shirts.

After working for the Visiting Nurse Association for many years, Vilma continued her career at the  Suburban Homemaking and Maternity as a home health aide, continuing to answer God's call to  offer health and healing to others. When her eldest grandson Francisco was born, she finally decided  to shift to part-time so she could help care for him and eventually his younger brother Santiago.

Vilma continued to love music and dancing. From nights out, to dinner dances, to Salsa Cruises, she could always be found on the dance floor. She developed a particular love for Bachata and shared a memorable Bachata with Edwin as part of their mother-son dance at his wedding. Be it at church, at a party, visiting  with friends and family, or even just on her daily routine at home, Vilma was always dressed to the  nines. Hair laid, nails done, outfit perfectly curated, and you CANNOT forget the heels! She was truly beautiful,  inside and out.

Vilma's adventurous spirit and insistence on embracing life was evident in her deep love of travel. In  addition to frequent trips to Costa Rica to visit family, Vilma traveled to France, Spain, Italy and  Great Britain with her son Edwin in what remain some of his most cherished memories. She also visited and took cruises to Hawaii, Jamaica, the Dominican Republic and many other places around  the world. Vilma was also instrumental in organizing family reunions, bringing the Johnson family  together from Costa Rica and beyond, helping generations of the family come together and have a  good time. Most recently, she organized an unforgettable reunion in July of 2023.

Vilma, or "Abuelita" as she was addressed by Francisco and Santiago, was a fun, caring, hands-on  and active grandmother. The boys were always overjoyed when Abuelita would pick them up from  school and were even more excited when she came over. With her they always felt loved, they always had  fun and had an important role model on what it means to live life to the fullest. Vilma's love for her  family also shone through the attentive care she provided to her beloved sister Lupita and her  partner Walter through many years of illness before he passed. Vilma was a beloved friend and  confidant to many. Often quiet, Vilma was a trusted listener and would always share her honest  opinions. She was a joy to be around. When she first became ill, many of the people for whom she  had cared reached out in love and gratitude.

Vilma was predeceased by her parents, her siblings Marciano, Murine (Sorli), and Orlando, and her  dear companion Walter. She leaves behind her son Edwin, daughter-in-law Susan and her grandsons  Francisco and Santiago, along with her sister Lupita and nephew Newton, her brothers Seemore and  Owen, and many other nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. All who knew her will forever  remember the joy and grace with which she lived her life and will seek to honor her legacy by  sharing that joy with others.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to:

St. John-St. James Episcopal Church, Roxbury

OR

St. Mary's Episcopal Church, Dorchester