Catherine Ione Johnson

Catherine (“Cathy”) Ione Johnson, 68, of Hillsborough Village located in The Villages, FL passed away suddenly on September 24, 2023. She was born on April 29, 1955, in Evansville, IN to the late Robert Johnson and Marilyn (Attinger).

Cathy attended Evansville North High School where she performed in both marching and concert bands and graduated as valedictorian of the Class of 1973. She received a full academic scholarship at the University of Evansville, graduating magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Chemistry. In 1977, Cathy was hired by Upjohn Pharmaceuticals and began her career in Kalamazoo, Michigan. She continued employment with Upjohn/Pharmacia and 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. Retiring from Pfizer in 2010, she migrated south from Randolph, NJ to her dream retirement home in The Villages, FL in 2015. In her eight years there, Cathy was able to live life to its fullest with golf, water aerobics, cruises, day trips, family visits, and social events galore. She was especially proud of her retirement home, independent 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 Community 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 for Cathy, and she would devote a great deal of 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, FL; niece, Samantha (Lucas) Elliot and Mia Vaal of Gurnee, IL; nephew, Carl Minnette of Evansville, IN; niece, Breanna Johnson of Gainesville, FL; uncle and aunt, Ronald 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.

In Evansville, friends and family may visit to celebrate Cathy’s life on Thursday, December 21, 2023 at Alexander Memorial Park Chapel from 10:00 am to 11:00 am. Service will begin at 11:00 am with livestreaming at www.facebook.com/FuneralStreamUSA. The interment will be private.

A Celebration of Life for Cathy was previously held in The Villages, FL on Sunday October 22, 2023.

In lieu of flowers, donations to Cathy’s church in FL are suggested where a memorial fund has been established to benefit the future of the ministry in her name:

https://crossingscc.breezechms.com/give/online OR Bethlehem United Church of Christ, 6400 Oak Hill Road, Evansville, IN 47725 OR University of Evansville, Chemistry Department, 1800 Lincoln Avenue, Evansville, IN 47714.