Community News

The New Centurion: ‘Mrs. Altadena’ celebrates 100th Birthday

Story and Photography by LYNNE EODICE
Published: Friday, August 27, 2010 | 9:11 AM

Rosa Johnson with her International Jacket

Known to many as “Mrs. Altadena” or “Mama Rosa,” Rosa Johnson has played a key role in the town’s Christmas Tree Lane opening ceremony for over 40 years. During her lifetime, she’s acted onstage, modeled hats, run a family-owned appliance business, hosted foreign students in her home, and traveled the world to speak about peace and friendship. She also has a remarkable bell and doll collection. And on August 30th, Rosa will achieve yet another milestone — she’s turning 100 years old.

I recently had a delightful visit with this sharp, energetic woman, and we discussed her life and many memories. “I’m a ‘mama’ to young and old alike,” she told me. “Everybody calls me ‘Mama Rosa.’ It’s a token of affection, I think.” Born of Italian descent, Rosa says she was “created” in Italy, but spent her early years in Norwalk, Connecticut, before her family moved to Daytona Beach, Florida. They eventually moved to southern California, where Rosa had ambitions of appearing in movies. The Hollywood lifestyle wasn’t to her liking, however, so she chose to act on the stage instead (she’s appeared onstage at the Pasadena Playhouse, an organization she continues to support).

The Early Years
She describes Altadena 70 years ago as “having a country farm feeling; there were lots of empty houses when I first moved up here.” Her home once belonged to Dr. Bennett, a “real character” and a prominent professor whom she dated when she was 16 years old. According to Rosa, “the day that he died, I bought his house.” Most of the furnishings that are still in the house once belonged to him, she says. At the time, not very people lived nearby. A woman moved into a house down the street one day and Rosa was the first to welcome her — thus she became an ambassador of good will for the neighborhood.

She met her future husband, Kim Johnson, on an occasion when she took her mother shopping in what’s now known as old town Pasadena. However, Colorado Blvd. wasn’t the chic, urban hotspot it’s become today. “It was a rickety old place, but the bargains were better there,” Rosa recalls. She took her mother to a butcher shop in old Pasadena, “and who was there but this tall, curly-haired man,” she recalls. “He was gorgeous, with eyes as big as walnuts.” But although he got Rosa’s address from her mother, Rosa was initially hesitant to date a butcher. “I was in business and only went with big business people.” Rosa adds, “Why did I fall in love with him? He was just so sincere.”

After Kim and Rosa were married in 1933, they operated a very successful appliance business in Pasadena. Kim passed away eight years ago, and Rosa remembers him as “a beautiful man all the way around. He always had time for everybody and helped everyone out. He was just as sweet and nice at the end as he was in the beginning, when he made goo-goo eyes at me.”

Ms. International
“All these kids you see up here are from different countries,” she says, indicating the numerous framed portraits on the wall over her couch. Years ago, several international friendship clubs approached Rosa about sponsoring a student for the school year. Some referrals came from the Lions Club, of which she’s a member, as well as organizations like the Youth Exchange Service and Youth for Understanding. “My reputation spread, and people started to automatically call me.” Throughout the years, she has hosted young students from South America, Europe, China, and Japan. She got many referrals from her past students. “I’ve hosted children from all over the world,” she says. “It got to the point where I was taking in these kids in without the sanctions of a club.” Many of these children—who are adults today—have kept in touch with her, and she considers them all family. “They come back with their children,” she says fondly. “I have a thick stack of letters from them. I write every day because I get mail every day.”

She’s also traveled the globe to speak about family and peace. She was the first person to visit Pasadena’s sister city in Japan 65 years ago, and represented the Lions Club as an ambassador of good will in Sweden. “I gave a talk about international friendships through Lionism.” She says that she enjoys all types of foreign food as well: “I’m a good eater that way.” Rosa says she truly enjoys meeting people from all walks of life. “If you listen to people, you’ll learn something from everybody,” she says. Today, she still wears her colorful “international jacket,” which is adorned with fabric badges from around the world.

Accepting Change
“I’ve seen so many changes in models of cars, airplanes, and styles of women’s clothing,” Rosa comments. She’s also witnessed the evolution of entertainment and people’s lifestyles. “I’ve accepted change,” she maintains, “and I don’t criticize people.” As for health and longevity, Rosa advises: “Number one — take care of your health.” This includes practicing good eating habits, “and if you’re drinking wine, you must eat at the same time.” She also believes in eating raw or cooked vegetables daily, and having fruit or custard pudding for dessert. “I’m not a sweets eater,” she declares. She also believes that people would benefit by taking a nap during the daytime whenever possible. Rosa is still very active, and says that she still goes out to lunch, as well as to parties and dances. “I’ve taken a lot of trips lately,” she adds.

“I was once a dancer,” she points out. “I’d rather dance than eat.” Rosa loved music, but says she didn’t have a knack for learning musical instruments. She decided to learn to play bells after becoming intrigued with their history. “I have one bell that belonged to a woman who was sick. After she died, her daughter gave me the bell,” she says. Most of the1000 bells that are displayed proudly in her home have been gifts. When I remarked on the size of this collection, she replies, “This isn’t many. I have friends who have two to three thousand bells.” She’s also a member of the American Bell Association, which meets on a regular basis and holds conventions throughout the country.

Celebration
Rosa has three children of her own—two sons and a daughter—and ten grandchildren. Many of her relatives and “adopted” children from other countries are coming to town for her 100th birthday party, which will be held on September 4th (many were unavailable on the date of her actual birthday, so they opted to have her party over Labor Day weekend). Some people are arriving from different states, and others are traveling to Altadena from countries as far away as Switzerland for this momentous occasion. “About 100 people were invited to my party,” she says. “Twenty-six relatives are coming so far.” She’s gotten a beautiful birthday card from a local artist, Karen Bagnard, which was signed by many local people at the recent Relay for Life event at Farnsworth Park in Altadena. Rosa has also received a beautiful proclamation from L.A. County Supervisor Michael Antonovich.

Before she bid me ‘ciao,’ Rosa gave me a small bell — a gift that she offers to her visitors, as well as two pieces of chocolate for my husband and me to share. I was so very inspired by this woman who’s very full of life, much more so than many I know who are half her age. Happy birthday, Mama Rosa!

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