Susann was born December 5, 1940 at St. Ann’s hospital in New York, NY to Bernadette “Betty” and Samuel “Sam” Esposito. She grew up in the city and after graduating from high school, she received her Associates Degree in Legal Assisting from NYC Community College (Brooklyn) in 1960. She went on to work at Cahill Gordon Law firm in New York, NY - starting her love and passion for the law as a legal secretary. In 1964 she starting dating the love of her life, Ronald Edward Johnson. On April 23rd, 1966, they married at St. Rita’s Church in Long Island City, NY. As the wife of a former Marine and NYC Police Chief, she and Ronnie went on to raise two children, Jennifer and Eric. Susann worked 23 years as a Principal Office Stenographer/Court Clerk in the Supreme Court of New York (Mineola) before retiring and moving to Cornelius, NC in 2002.
Susann loved her work at the courthouse and often spoke of it as some of her fondest career memories. She worked for various judges and sat in on many trials. She was an avid reader for many years, but she most loved watching movies and any criminal investigation show she could find. Susann enjoyed good food, anything British, shopping (particularly for shoes and handbags) and her afternoon tea. In retirement, she lived a quiet life enjoying time with her grandchildren; she was a proud Grandma, often talking about their activities and visits. Susann could always be found telling stories and talking to people wherever she was, especially the last few years in independent and assisted living. Growing up, she especially enjoyed music, dancing and the arts overall. In high school she was a part of a Glee club, which she loved singing as a soprano.
Susann was preceded in death by her husband Ronald Johnson, her parents Sam and Betty Esposito, and her brother Charles Esposito. She is survived by her daughter Jennifer Walsh (Brian) of New York; son Eric Johnson (Christine) of Charlotte, NC; brother George Esposito (Karen), sister in law Diana Esposito, as well as her grandchildren Delaney, Christian, Daniel and Joshua. She is also survived by Patty King and Susann’s nieces, Kathleen and Jessie.
Services will be held Tuesday June 21st, 2022 at 5pm at the Chapel at McEwen Funeral Home - Pineville Chapel, 10500 Park Rd., Charlotte, NC 28210, with a reception following. It can also be viewed virtually using the link below. The family requests those who wish to express sympathy to please consider making a donation to one of these charities in her memory: Alzheimer’s Association of Western Carolina (www.alz.org/northcarolina), Atrium Health Foundation, Levine Cancer Institute (www.atriumhealthfoundation.org/cancer), Tunnel to Towers Foundation (https://t2t.org).
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.McEwenPinevilleChapel.com for the Johnson family.
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