Obituary
On September 24, 2023, heaven received a special angel named Catherine (“Cathy”) Ione Johnson. Cathy was born on April 29, 1955, in Evansville, IN to Marilyn and Robert Johnson. Cathy attended Evansville North High School where she performed in the marching band and graduated as the valedictorian of her class of 1973. She received a full academic scholarship at the University of Evansville where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree magna cum laude while majoring in chemistry. Cathy was hired by Upjohn Pharmaceuticals in 1977 and began her career in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Cathy continued employment with Upjohn/Pharmacia, and Cathy later relocated to New Jersey in November 2003 as Upjohn/Pharmacia transitioned to Pfizer. Cathy was always well known for her analytical skills, precision, and dependability during her 33 years in quality assurance and regulatory compliance for essentially the same company.
Cathy retired from Pfizer in 2010 and later migrated south from Randolph, NJ to her dream retirement home in the Villages, FL in 2015. In The Villages, Cathy was able to live life to its fullest with busy schedules of golf, cruises, day trips, family visits, and social events galore. Cathy was especially proud of her retirement house, independent and active lifestyle, and maintaining friendships she had made throughout her life. Cathy had a deep relationship with her local church at each residence of her life’s journey. In The Villages, it was Crossings Christian Church that was elevated by her technical acuity, compassion, and natural ability to bring people together. Cathy served as a leader for the Bible Study and Video Tech Ministry. She was always willing to serve in any area of need, and no ministry challenge overwhelmed her. She was committed to giving her very best in serving others first.
Family has always been a priority to Cathy, and she would devote a great deal of her time visiting and talking with her siblings, nieces, and nephews. She was a peacekeeper that could be counted on to soothe anxious moments. Most of all, Cathy was the epitome of pure love who brought out the best in all of us.
Cathy was predeceased by her brother (Gary Alan Johnson 1975), father (Robert Ray Johnson 2000) mother (Marilyn Ione Johnson 2011). She is survived by her sister, Sharilyn (Jeff) Minnette of Evansville IN; brother Randy (Leigh Ann) Johnson of Cape Coral; niece Samantha (Lucas) and Elliot Vaal of Gurnee IL; nephew Carl Minnette of Evansville, IN; niece Breanna Johnson of Gainesville, FL; aunt and uncle Ron and Beverly Attinger of Evansville, IN; and cousins Bill Attinger (Las Vegas, NV), Tim Attinger (San Francisco, CA) Phil Attinger (Sebring, FL), and Elizabeth Milewicz (Fayetteville, NC)
Cathy often mentioned to friends and family that “she knew where she was going” when her life on Earth was complete, and all who knew her can look forward to meeting her once again. Nothing can ever take away a love the heart holds dear.
A Celebration of Life for Cathy will be held at the Colony Cottage 510 Colony Boulevard; The Villages, FL 32162 on Sunday October 22, 2023. Visitation and fond memories 2PM-3PM; Service 3PM -4PM; and dinner on Cathy 4PM. Please RSVP with Randy (Cathy’s brother) at doodad3366@aol.com In lieu of flowers, donations to Cathy’s church in FL are suggested where a memorial fund is being set up to benefit the future of the ministry in her name: https://crossingscc.breezechms.com/give/online
An additional memorial/celebration event will be held in Evansville, IN in December (details forthcoming)
When we went to the sand festival with Cheryl Scoles mom Karol MacDonald
Cathy will be missed. A Samba partner for years we had so many laughs and a lot of fun!
Looks like our trip and breakfast will have to be postponed.
Thank you my friend for the joy you brought into my life.
RIP Cathy
A highlight in Florida was going out on her brother Randy's boat to special islands that only boats could reach!! She will be missed but I'm so thankful I know I will see her again one day.