Leigh Ellen (M.) Johnson, 69, died Saturday afternoon, December 20, 2025, at Hartford Hospital with her family at her side. Born in Bethesda, MD, she was the daughter of the late Daniel and Helen (Whitmer) Maher.

Leigh enlisted in the United States Navy at the age of 17 and the tenure of her service was completed at the National Medical Center in Bethesda, MD. Her service enabled her to attend nursing school at Mary College (University of Mary, Bismarck, ND) on the GI Bill, thus beginning a long and dedicated career as registered nurse.

Leigh retired from Windham Community Hospital after decades of service not only as a fierce advocate for her patients but her fellow nurses as well. She was always available for support and guidance to those in need. Her advocacy for nurses prompted a decades-long commitment to the nurses’ union where she began as Treasurer and eventually became President. She fought to ensure the voices of her coworkers were heard and their needs met, as she did in tandem for all her patients. Her courage and devotion to her patients and fellow nurses was recognized officially when she was bestowed the prestigious Nightengale Award in 2006.

When Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans in 2005, Leigh felt called to respond. Her nursing skills brought relief to countless New Orleanians and also honored the memory of her beloved brother, John, who had called New Orleans home before his passing. Her fellow nurse from Windham Community Hospital and group of similarly driven nurses from across the country dubbed themselves “The VooDoo Strike team.”

Leigh took up golfing later in life and played each year at the Windham Community Hospital golf tournament. True to form, she took home the tournament record for the longest drive in the second year she played in the tournament.

Leigh’s profound dedication to her career, patients, and colleagues paled in comparison to her love for her family. She was the rock they stood on and the guidepost by which they navigated. The light of her life was her grandchildren. Nothing brought her more joy than spending time with them. She loved spending time with them, sharing her hobbies and passions and was committed to fostering the next generation of Washington Redskins fans since their infancy, and we expect to hear her cheering the team on from Heaven. Moreover, she supported all her family in all pursuits and will forever be their loudest cheerleader and advocate.

Leigh was the embodiment of a quote by H. Jackson Brown Jr. that she kept in a place she read every day which stated, ‘Live so when your children think of fairness, caring and integrity they think of you.’ Mission accomplished Ma.

She is survived by her children, David Johnson and his wife Emily of Bismarck, ND, and Kendra Williams and her husband Dennis of Nickelsville, VA; her three siblings, Daniel Maher of MD, Carole Fahey of DC, and David Maher of NY; and her five cherished grandchildren, Olivia, Edward, Lila, Leo, and Blake.

She was predeceased by her parents and siblings, Martha Maher and John Maher.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 AM, Friday, January 2, 2026, at the Church of St. Joseph, 108 3rd St NE, Mandan. Burial will follow Mass at Mandan Union Cemetery, Mandan.