Born in Buffalo, May 6, 1964, the daughter of Alexander and Esther Dombrowski Walczak, she had resided in Buffalo during her early life and was a graduate of Buffalo City Honors and received her bachelor's degree from the University of Buffalo. Cathy moved to Almond in 1989 to begin work at Alfred University. At the time of her death, she was Assistant to the Dean of The School of Art and Design at Alfred University.
Cathy was a member of St. Jude’s Parish where she taught Children’s Church and helped coordinate the church’s prayer circle. She was also a member and past president of the Alfred Lions Club, past president of the Alfred Montessori School and active in Boy Scout Troop 19. Cathy was a proud 15 year survivor of breast cancer and was actively involved in all breast cancer awareness programs. She also enjoyed gardening and photography.
Cathy was predeceased by her parents.
She is survived by her husband, Earl F. Johnson to whom she was married August 18, 1990, her sons; Stephen Johnson a PhD student at Fordham University in New York City, and Matthew Johnson, a Biochemistry student at Roanoke College in Virginia, three sisters; Alexandra “Sandra” Walczak (Al Miles) of Georgia, Donna (Scotty) Strachan of Rochester and Janice (Jeff) Gardner of East Amherst, her father and mother in law, Fred and Sue Johnson of West Seneca, her God daughter; Kimberly Strachan, and her beloved canine friend “Sport”. She is also survived by brothers and sisters-in-law, and several nieces and nephews.
To send a remembrance to the family, please visit www.brownandpowersfuneralhomes.com. The family is being assisted by Gerald R. Brown, Director.
The family will be present to receive friends on Friday (Nov. 10, 2017) from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. at the Bender-Brown & Powers Funeral Home, 354 Canisteo Street in Hornell, NY. A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday (Nov. 11, 2017) at 12 Noon at St. Jude’s Chapel on the Campus of Alfred State College. Inurnment will be in Forest Lawn Cemetery in Buffalo, NY.
Friends may make memorial contributions to: Roswell Park Alliance Foundation, PO Box 631, Buffalo, NY 14240. Please designate Breast Cancer Research.
