Eleanor Bradford (Luther) Johansen, 94, of Mattapoisett, died peacefully on Friday, August 8, 2025. Eleanor was born in New Bedford on December 29, 1930, the daughter of the late Bradford Wheeler Luther and Elva Woodworth (Fairbairn) Luther. Eleanor grew up in Fairhaven and graduated from Fairhaven High School in 1948. She married the late Robert Garner Johansen in September 1951, and subsequently moved to Mattapoisett, which became her home for over seventy years.
Her life’s passion was her handwork. She enjoyed painting, knitting, weaving and embroidery. But her true love was making quilts, and she devoted most of her time to designing and creating exquisitely beautiful, unique quilts.
She is survived by her son, Jon Benjamin Johansen and his wife, Ann, of Winterport, Maine; her daughter, Donna Goldman and her husband, Ted, of Bethesda, Maryland; four grandchildren: Jessica Alexandria Whynot, Andrew Silva, Molly Goldman and Kara Young; and four great-grandchildren: Elizabeth Donahue, Brody Donahue, Nathan Young and Jacob Young.
She was the mother of the late Susan Johansen-Silva, the grandmother of the late Jeremiah Johansen-Silva, and the sister of the late Bradford Wheeler Luther, Jr.
Her graveside service will be held on Friday, September 19, at 2:00 pm in Cushing Cemetery. Arrangements are with the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Rd. (Rt. 6), Mattapoisett. For online guestbook, visit www.saundersdwyer.com.
