SEMINOLE — Marilyn Mohney, a lifelong local resident and daughter of one of the city’s founding fathers, died March 4 at the age of 94.
Mohney was the eldest daughter of Jesse and Marjorie Johnson, members of a pioneering family whose roots in the area date to the 1860s.
She spent her entire life living in Seminole and grew up on the corner of Johnson and Seminole Boulevard when it was just a two-lane dirt road. She attended Seminole Elementary School, the only school in the area at the time, which was built by her grandfather John Campbell in 1915, and later went on to Lealman Junior High followed by St. Petersburg High.
Her father, Jesse Johnson, played a vital role in the incorporation of the city of Seminole in 1970 and was a visionary leader who helped guide the city’s early development with other members.
His legacy included founding Seminole Nurseries, Sylvan Abbey and Sarasota Memorial Park. He also helped build the old Seminole Mall, the city’s first bank, post office, Johnson Boulevard, and founded the local Kiwanis Club. He was later named the city’s first honorary mayor.
Surrounded by that history growing up, Mohney carried those stories with her throughout her life and shared about her upbringing while witnessing the city’s transformation.
“She was very proud of the community she grew up in and what it came to be,” said Kirk Miller, Marilyn Mohney’s grandson. “My god, she was full of history. When she talked, people would just sit and listen to her. She was just full of knowledge about this community.”
Marilyn married her husband, Eugene Mohney, in 1948, and together they raised four children and operated the Seminole Village Motel and Mobile Home Park.
Her daughter, Sarah Miller, Kirk’s mother, recalled the times growing up of how she was always with her mother or grandfather when they attended events in the community, including the times her mother would point out local landmarks and share family history.
“Where the Truist Bank is, that is where my mom’s grandmother lived, and they moved across the street to where the old Wells Fargo was,” Sarah Miller said. “She talked about the beautiful gardens that my grandfather had. The whole property where Freedom Square is, there used to be a park called Johnson Park, and we would have fish fries there.”
Sarah said her mother believed her father was instrumental, ahead of his time and able to see what the community needed.
Marilyn was a lifelong member of Seminole United Methodist Church, United Methodist Women’s organization, Seminole Historical Society, as well as Largo, Clearwater, and Pinellas County Historical Societies, and was active in the Seminole Civic Club, Pinellas Seminole Women’s Club, and Ki-wives (Seminole Kiwanis Club).
“My mom was the first treasurer of the Seminole Historical Society,” Sarah said. “She was very excited seeing it grow. She wanted me to continue on and so through the years, I was secretary and now I’m a board member.”
Both Sarah and Kirk said that family gatherings were very important to Marilyn. Kirk recalled large holiday celebrations at his grandmother’s house and trips to Highlands, North Carolina, where relatives gathered each year and on vacation, which were some of his favorite memories.
“When we were kids, everybody would come to grandmas on Christmas day, and there were hundreds of gifts that would overflow the living room into the family room,” Kirk said. “We would have 30 to 40 people around the entire house and all open gifts together.”
He said that his grandmother’s character and values left a lasting impression on him.
“My grandmother lived a life full of integrity and was sincere in everything she did,” Kirk said. “She will leave a legacy not many will.”
He hopes to carry on the lessons he’s learned from his grandmother and to continue to share the history of Seminole as a tribute.
“They say when you’re born, you look like your parents, but when you grow up, you look like your decisions,” Kirk said as he recalled a phrase he heard from someone growing up. He viewed his grandmother as someone who “never made a bad decision. Everything she did in her life was genuine and thought through. I will take that with me throughout my life and hopefully have a little bit of grandma in what I do and how I represent myself.”
Kirk said her legacy wasn’t just about her family’s history, but how she lived her life. She was seen as a kind and respectable person who was highly thought of throughout the community, he said.
“I will always miss her love in her quiet manner,” Sarah said. “Growing up, we never thought it was a big deal of who we were. We were just regular people. I’m proud of who my grandfather was and my mother. I just want to respect her wishes. We had big family get togethers, and I want to continue that with my kids, because family was important to her.”