Mary Johnson Demert

Cherished mother and beloved wife, Mary Johnson Demert passed peacefully into heaven on Thursday, January 5, 2023. Mary lived bravely with Parkinson's Disease for almost 18 years. She was born in Buffalo, New York in 1946 to Wilbert and Ruth Johnson. She met Ken, the love of her life, at a high school dance, and they married in 1966. She graduated with a bachelor's degree in education from the State University of New York at Buffalo and began her career as a talented and beloved teacher.
First in New York, then North Carolina, Florida and North Carolina again, Mary found great joy in teaching. Students thrived in her classrooms, which featured a strong focus on the fundamentals and gentle encouragement that instilled confidence and a love of learning in the children she taught. She was a trusted colleague and mentor, who loved supporting new teachers and working on teams to plan creative lessons. When she and Ken moved to Charlotte in 1968, she completed a master's degree in education from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and taught at several elementary schools in Charlotte during her career, including Lansdowne, J.H. Gunn and Idlewild Elementary School.
In addition to teaching, Mary supported Ken as he grew his business, Hall Clock Shop. She managed the books, cleaned clock cases and assisted customers, helping the shop become an institution on Central Avenue over the course of its 40 years in the building and continuing at its new location in southeast Charlotte.
A devoted mother, Mary raised two children with Ken and always delighted in their successes. She served as an elections volunteer and regularly participated in activities and services at St. Gabriel Catholic Church.
Mary is survived by her husband, Ken; sister-in-law Joyce; daughter April Slayton; son Matthew; and granddaughters Elanora Slayton and Madison Demert.
All are welcome to attend a visitation followed by a funeral mass for Mary on Friday, January 13 at St. Gabriel Catholic Church at 3016 Providence Road in Charlotte. The visitation begins at 10 a.m. and mass begins at 11 a.m. Interment will follow the service. Those interested in attending a reception celebrating Mary's life later in the day should contact the family.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a memorial donation to the Parkinson Association of the Carolinas or Hospice & Palliative Care Charlotte Region.