Catherine W. Johnson

Catherine (Kay) Watts Johnson, born Catherine Packer Mack on November 8, 1945, in Pontiac, Michigan, passed away peacefully at home on September 24, 2025, after a long battle with cancer. She was a beloved wife, mother, step-mother, sister, aunt, grandmother, and friend.

Kay was the matriarch of her family, and what we affectionately call the family shrub. With every offshoot of family that life brought, she offered a living network of connections, making space for each branch to belong to the whole. She cultivated each relationship, and it was her greatest joy to bring the many branches of her family and extended family together.

Kay is survived by her loving husband Bill Johnson; twin daughters, Sarah Watts Martin (husband Robert Martin) and Susan Watts Buchanan (husband Chris Buchanan); and step-son Carter Johnson (wife Erin Johnson); three grandchildren, Zoe Chinn, Conner Chinn, and Declan Johnson; three brothers, Joseph Mack (wife MaryAnn Mack), Mark Rast, and Michael Mack (wife Orysia Mack); and one sister, Patricia Mack. She also leaves behind a beloved aunt Cora Davies, and many nieces and nephews.

Kay attended Marian High School in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, and received her Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from Saint Mary's College in Notre Dame, Indiana, where she began her fascination with Computer Science. She continued her education at Cornell University, receiving a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) focused on mathematics, and continued her interest in computers. Her program required that she spend a semester teaching-an experience she found so rewarding that it quickly became her life-long passion. While in Ithaca, she met and married her first husband, Randy Watts, with whom she later had twin daughters. Randy's work brought the young family to Rhode Island in 1975; although their marriage ended, their partnership in raising their daughters remained strong and their friendship continued as they fostered a uniquely strong blended family throughout Kay's life.

Kay began work at the Laboratory for the Study of Information Science (LSIS) on the University of Rhode Island (URI) campus, where she met her second husband, Bill, the love of her life, whom she married in 1982. Their partnership was one of mutual respect, independent roles and activities, and shared love and commitment to one another during their 43 years together. Kay felt that while neither of them was perfect, Bill was the perfect husband for her-surely, in part, because he always made her laugh. Kay furthered her education, receiving a Master of Science degree in Computer Science from URI. She accepted a teaching position in the Computer Science Department at the Community College of Rhode Island, finally putting her intellectual passions together. She loved teaching at the college, and retired from CCRI in 2018 after over 30 years.

Kay was thoughtful, loyal, and inclusive, and had many strong and long-lasting friendships. Her network of friends was incredibly important to her, and provided her joy, strength, and support through the ups and downs of life. She was well known for her sweet tooth-from chocolates to Good & Plenty licorice to sugar-coated pastries-she loved them all and enjoyed them right up until her final days. Above all, Kay will be remembered for her warm smile, sensibility, sense of humor, and for hosting wonderful family gatherings.

Kay approached life-including her cancer diagnosis-matter-of-factly, accepting her circumstances and approaching her treatment with resolve. She always maintained a positive attitude, never dwelling. All the while, she continued to live her life to the fullest, socializing with friends, attending exercise and lifetime learning classes, and playing golf and games of mental strength. Even during her final weeks in hospice, she made the most of each moment, maintaining a cheerful attitude and brightening up for each visitor. She faced her cancer battle with resilience, good humor, and grace that was inspiring to her friends and family.

Visitation will be held from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM on Saturday, October 4, 2025 in Avery-Storti Funeral Home at 88 Columbia St. Wakefield, RI. A memorial service for Kay will immediately follow at 11:00 AM

In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to Dana-Farber Cancer in memory of Catherine "Kay" Johnson to support cancer research and patient care; or to HopeHealth. Kay felt Dana Farber's research and experimental therapies played a significant role in extending her life after her diagnosis; and HopeHealth hospice services provided vital comfort and compassionate care during Kay's final 7 weeks of life, for which the family wishes to express their sincere thanks.