Elizabeth “Bird” Johnson, age 88, of Delaware Valley Personal Care Residence, Matamoras, PA, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, November 26, 2025, after a brief illness. Her vivacious personality and spirit brought considerable joy to her friends and family. She was lovingly known to her grandchildren as Bird due to her animated Big Bird impersonations. She was preceded in death by her husbands, Robert J. Warden, 1959, and Albert Johnson, 1989.
Born December 4, 1936, in Port Jervis, NY, she was the daughter of Ralph and Anna (O’Neill) Longspaugh. She was extremely proud of her career as a Registered Nurse, and worked in that capacity in numerous settings, earning her degree from Orange County Community College.
Elizabeth lived the majority of her life in Pond Eddy, NY, surrounded by many family members. She devoted her life to her family and was known for her sharp wit and humor. Her home was always a place of comfort, laughter, and welcome.
She is survived by three sons: Robert Warden (Karen) of Muncy, PA; William Warden of Port Jervis; and Bernard Johnson (Kathleen) of Narrowsburg, NY; one daughter: Betsy Conaty (Philip) of Matamoras, PA; one sister: Barbara Steinberg of Forestburgh, NY; two brothers: George Brennan of Pond Eddy, and Michael Brennan of Monticello, NY; brother-in-law Stephen Warden of Taylor, PA; sister-in-law Janet Warden of Yulan, NY; eight grandchildren: Sean and Brian Conaty, Lindsay (Warden) Conklin, Robert Warden, Samantha (Warden) Burns, Ian Warden, and John and Ben Johnson; and five great-grandchildren: Theodore Johnson, Owen and Parker Burns, Honor Conklin and Caden Conaty; beloved nieces and nephews; as well as her lifelong friend Betty Shields.
She was predeceased by her husbands, her son Joseph Warden and her granddaughter, Elizabeth Ann Warden.
Calling hours and services will be Sunday, November 30, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., at Harrison-Rasmussen Funeral Home of Barryville, 3412 Rte. 97, Barryville. Interment will be held at the Glen Spey Cemetery in Glen Spey, NY, on Monday for family.
Memorial contributions can be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital in her memory.
Arrangements are entrusted to the Harrison Rasmussen Funeral Home of Barryville, 3412 Rte. 97, Barryville, NY 845/557-8010.