Memorial Gathering Set Wednesday For Councilwoman Patti Johnson

PINELLAS PARK, FL — A remembrance gathering for Pinellas Park City Councilwoman Patricia "Patti" Johnson will take place Wednesday, March 11 at 7 p.m. at the Pinellas Park Performing Arts Center, 4951 78th Ave. N.

Johnson died Feb. 26 at the family farm in Pinellas Park with her family by her side. She died at the age of 74 after battling cancer.

A 26-year resident of Pinellas Park, she had a long history of public service in the community.

“Patti’s passions were abundant” said Mayor Sandra Bradbury and the Pinellas Park City Council in a statement. “She was devoted to her family, her city, her constituents and her horses."

Johnson, who operated Amber Glen Equestrian Center and Feed Depot with her husband, Del, was elected to the Pinellas Park City Council in 2012, 2014 and 2018.

She also spent five years on the Pinellas Park Board of Adjustment; six years on the Code Enforcement Board; seven years on the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority’s board of directors; and, most recently, on the Florida Municipal Insurance Trust and the Transportation Disadvantaged Committee of the Pinellas Metropolitan Planning Organization

A longtime advocate for the elderly and disabled, she represented those in need in probate and guardianship cases. She also served as a court-appointed guardian ad litem in the Pinellas-Pasco Circuit Court where she safeguarded the rights of children in legal proceedings.

She served on a number of nonprofit boards including the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Suncoast, the Greater Pinellas County Fair and the Pinellas Park Boys & Girls Club Unit Advisory Council.

She was also a member of the Pinellas Park/Gateway Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and served with the Pinellas Park Police Department Volunteer Mounted Unit, the Florida Alliance for Main Street Fairness and the Tampa Bay Executive Committee.

“We are all helpless in the face of grief and our city is devastated by the loss of Councilwoman Johnson," continued the statement from the city. "We as a city will continue to pray that He will provide peace and comfort to Patti’s family at this time. It has truly been a pleasure to serve the citizens of Pinellas Park alongside Patti and no words can describe how deeply she will be missed.”

Johnson is survived by her husband of 32 years; her daughter, Patti GailFiedler and her husband Bill; her granddaughter, Amber; her horses, Zeus and Diesel; and her Yorkshire terrier, Punkin.

A special election to fill her seat will likely be held during the Pinellas Park Primary Aug. 18.