Obituary of Cathy E. Johnson

Cathy (Gaunt) Johnson passed away on December 2nd, 2023 after a battle with cancer. She was born on July 6th, 1944 in Wood-Ridge, NJ.  Cathy is survived by her loving husband, Paul, daughters Cheryl (Dominic) Garrant and Sharon (Todd) Charron and her beloved grandchildren Conner and Katie (Cheryl) and Jack and Hunter (Sharon).  She is also survived by her sisters-in-law, Marianne Gaunt and Jane (Ron) Hartman, brother-in-law John Johnson and his children and their families, and her sister’s children, nephew Chuck Savini and nieces Lucy Mills and Annette Grizzard.  She was preceded in death by her parents, Carol and William, in-laws Pearl and Michael, sister Barbara and brother Barry.

Cathy grew up in Northern NJ with her parents, sister and brother and spent much time with her grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins.  She pursued her bachelor’s degree at the University of New Hampshire with a plan to go into social work.  After spending time in that field in Connecticut she moved to Philadelphia where she obtained a Masters Degree in Library Science at Drexel University.  While working and volunteering in Philadelphia she became friends with her future sister-in-law, Jane, who brought her to the country one weekend where she met her future husband, Paul.

Cathy and Paul married on March 27th, 1976, and she moved to the Johnson family farm in Meridale, NY.  After living her life in a city setting Cathy took to farm life and found she, at heart, was a country girl.  Cathy loved being a mother to her two daughters and was involved in all of their activities, from being a co-leader of their 4-H group, to cheering them on at tennis matches or band concerts.

After selling the family farm, Cathy went to work at the Cannon Free library where she was able to utilize her Master’s degree and serve the community.  She loved helping the library patrons find information they needed, a good book to read, or an educational or fun program to further the sense of community.

Cathy was involved throughout her adult life at the United Ministry of Delhi where she did everything from teach Sunday school to be involved in the fellowship committee.  She, along with some of her friends, founded a weekly Tuesday lunch social group to gather at the church and share good conversation.

Cathy’s greatest joy came in spending time with her grandchildren.  Playing games with them, decorating cookies with them, watching them do what they enjoyed most – she loved it all.  May we all live life with the love, acceptance, and grace she did.

Services will be held at the United Ministry Church, Delhi, NY on Saturday, December 9, 2023 with calling hours from 12:30pm – 2:00pm and service immediately following at 2pm.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Mountain Valley Hospice and Palliative Care in Gloversville, NY, the Cannon Free Library in Delhi, NY, or the United Ministry in Delhi, NY. 

To Watch a recording of Cathy's service follow the link below. 

CATHY JOHNSON CELEBRATION OF LIFE

Please visit www.macarthrufh.com to share a condolence with the Johnson family.