Connie J. Johnson

CONNIE JEANNE HITCHCOCK JOHNSON Connie Jeanne Hitchcock Johnson, known affectionately and professionally as Chef Connie, was born in Baltimore, Maryland, on May 11, 1966, to Claude E. Hitchcock and Jeanne Dougherty Hitchcock. She was the oldest of two daughters, her younger sister being Heather Elise Hitchcock. Connie led a full and robust life as a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, star athlete, culinary artist, community servant, mentor, and friend to many. She was committed to her Christian beliefs and was a loving mother to her children and devoted friend to her extended family. Connie was educated in the Baltimore City Public School system. She attended the Mount Royal Middle School and Western High School. Her stellar athletic career began as a young track star for a private track club at Morgan State University, and she rose to great heights at Western High School, where she became a “blue chip” track star, excelling in the 4x100- meter relay and 100, 200 and 400- meter sprints. That earned her a full athletic scholarship to Howard University, where she majored in marketing. At Howard, she was named an All-American National Athlete by the NCAA. After graduation, she worked for a time in New York City for Bad Boy Entertainment. Later, Connie returned to Baltimore, married Melvin Johnson and settled down as wife and mother to their family. This is when she began her culinary career and cooking apprenticeship. She apprenticed at The Prime Rib restaurant and worked as a chef at Ciao Bella in Little Italy. Those experiences began the next phase of her life's journey as a culinary artist, committed to the community and youth mentorship. Connie recognized the devastating impact of health disparities in her community and the impact that unhealthy eating had on those disparities. ASo after a personal tragedy, involving her oldest daughter, Connie started a gourmet cooking program at her children’s school, Calvin Rodwell Elementary School, for 3rd, 4th and 5th graders. That is when she became "Chef Connie.” She taught the importance of nutrition, how to cook and became a model to the children and their families by encouraging healthy diets and teaching them how to cook healthy meals. She caught the attention of the Obama White House, and subsequently, was interviewed by HBO for a series on obesity in America, “Weight of a Nation.” Chef Connie’s culinary skills earned her a position at the University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS) as assistant manager of food and hospitality services, overseeing the dietary requirements of COVID 19 patients. These skills also led to her being selected from more than 200 applicants to cook at NFL events for VIPs at Superbowl LIV, in Miami. While working for the UMMS and seeing the devastation of COVID, Connie took another step in her life's journey. She organized a program that prepared and delivered meals to more than 3,000 senior citizens under the name “Dot's Meals” in honor of her late grandmother, Dorothy Dougherty. Her community service did not end there. She also started a full-service culinary arts fitness program and sports camp at the Liberty Village Project that services children of all ages and youth in West Baltimore. The children, youth and families loved Connie, as she did them. Connie was also passionate about her spirituality. She was raised in the church, starting out at Sharp Street United Methodist Church as a child, but was a faithful parishioner at other congregations in West Baltimore. She became a certified lay servant in the United Methodist Church. Connie was full of enthusiasm and commitment to the community and to family. She was an inspiration to everyone who interacted with her. She will remain in our hearts forever. Connie was preceded in death by her oldest child, daughter Bijan. She leaves to mourn Melvin Johnson, husband; Kaaliyah Carey, daughter; Douglas Bell, son; Elisia Bell, daughter; Eric Johnson, son; Kezley Woodson, granddaughter; Claude Hitchcock, father and wife, Bobette; Jeanne Hitchcock, mother; Heather Hitchcock, sister; Melvin Lewis Johnson, father-in-law; Donna Johnson, mother-in-law; five brothers-in-law; six sisters-in-law; Cheryl Hitchcock, aunt; twenty-eight nieces and nephews; and a host of other relatives and friends. May God bless and keep you safe, Connie. Rest in peace.

Tributes

Connie J. Johnson

May 11, 1966 - April 13, 2023