Mary Catherine Johnson

Mary Catherine Johnson passed away peacefully on February 24, 2024 at the age of 93. She was born September 12, 1930 in Kalamazoo, MI to Emmet and Margaret (Fraleigh) Redmond. Mary was a member of St. Augustine Catholic Church her entire life. She attended St. Augustine grade school and high school and graduated with the class of 1948. She attended Nazareth College (class of 1952).

Mary was President of the Marian Guild at St. Augustine and was a volunteer for Borgess Hospital and the Red Cross for over 25 years. She was a member of the Jimmy Flynn Bone Marrow Support Group and volunteered for Hospice of Greater Kalamazoo and St. Vincent de Paul. Mary was also a Eucharistic Minister and Reader for St. Augustine. She worked as a secretary at St. Joseph Church and was a secretary and bookkeeper at St. Thomas Moore for many years.

In addition to being a loving, devoted wife and mother, Mary had many other talents. She enjoyed playing beautiful music on her piano and decorating her doll house. Mary could plan a party with only a days’ notice. Many would agree that she made the best Chocolate Chip Cookies in the World! A few of Mary’s hobbies included trying her luck at casinos, spending hours shopping or “just browsing” and especially reading books. Mary said “she would rather be known for reading a million books than to have a clean house.”

Mary married Bob Johnson on November 11, 1950. In 2023, they celebrated 73 years of marriage but their story began years earlier when their families became next door neighbors. Their friendship turned to love when Bob returned from serving in the US Navy. They were blessed with 13 children, 35 grandchildren and 45 great-grandchildren, with 3 more on the way. Mary is survived by her husband, Bob and her children: Bill (Jill) Johnson, Mike (Barb) Johnson, Patricia Eve, Theresa (Rod) Hojara, Steve (Peggy) Johnson, Tom (Linda) Johnson, Jane (Ron) Ford, David (Lori) Johnson, Dan (Cheryl) Johnson, Cathy Stoner, Beth (Tim) O’Donnell and her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She is also survived by a sister-in-law, Nancy Redmond and several nieces and nephews. Mary was preceded in death by her parents,  daughters Barbara Liggins and Carol McCracken and brother Jack Redmond.

Visitation will be at Redmond Funeral Home (Kalamazoo) on Tuesday, February 27 from 5-7pm with a prayer service and rosary at 7pm. The Mass of Christian Burial will be held Wednesday, February 28, 2024 at 11:00 am at St. Augustine Cathedral. Burial will be in Mount Olivet Catholic Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to The Congregation of St. Joseph, St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital or The St. Vincent de Paul Society.

In her later years, Mary often attended weekday Mass and enjoyed going out to breakfast or lunch with her friends. She cherished family gatherings and time with her children, their spouses, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Mary believed God was always good to her, blessing her with many good people including relatives, teachers, mentors and friends. She was grateful for all of them. A friend once said, “Mary never met a stranger.”