Marian Ritchie Johnson

Marian Ritchie Johnson, 98, of Chapel Hill, NC, passed away peacefully at her home on Monday, August 18, 2025.

She grew up in Concord, NC, the older daughter of Chason and Bill Ritchie, in a home that she dearly loved. Marian attended public schools in Concord and graduated from Converse College in Spartanburg, SC with a major in psychology and math. She was a loyal alumna who always appreciated all that she experienced at Converse.

Marian married George Johnson, Jr. of Wilmington, NC, in 1950, when George was in medical school at UNC-CH. They lived in New York City while George completed his medical training at New York Hospital, then moved to Durham and subsequently Chapel Hill, where George was a surgeon in the department of vascular surgery at North Carolina Memorial Hospital (now UNC Hospitals).

After devoting many years to raising her children, Marian returned to school for a master’s degree in education in guidance and counseling and became a marriage and family therapist. For several years she was the assistant to the Presbyterian campus minister, a counselor in the office of Orange Presbytery, a staff counselor with Pastoral Care and Counseling Institute of Durham and Chapel Hill, and subsequently in private practice. She was a faithful member of University Presbyterian Church, became a Stephen Minister, continued to be active in Presbyterian Women, was instrumental in the founding of the Women’s Center of Chapel Hill, and served as president of the Chapel Hill Preservation Society, among other volunteer activities.

Marian was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. George Johnson, Jr., and is survived by her daughter Hope (Jeff) Englander of Falls Church, VA, son William (Laurie) Johnson of Chapel Hill, son David (Jill) Johnson of Willard, NC, son Robert (Patti) Johnson of Bethesda, MD, sister Lily Ritchie Hill of Chagrin Falls, OH, nine grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.

A graveside service will be held on Thursday, August 28, 2025,1:30 PM at Old Chapel Hill Cemetery. A memorial service will follow on Thursday, August 28, at 3:00 pm in the sanctuary of University Presbyterian Church, Chapel Hill.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions to University Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 509, Chapel Hill, NC 27514. Please indicate that the contribution is in memory of Marian Johnson and the Presbyterian Women Fund.