Susan Johnson

1942 - 2021

Susan D. Johnson
November 17, 1942 - July 5, 2021
Raleigh, North Carolina - Fearless Adventurer. World Traveler. Beloved Supermom. Consummate Caregiver with an unwavering generosity towards others and a lifelong passion for learning. No matter life's challenges, Susan always persevered with intelligence, a quiet strength and quick wit that was admired by all.
Susan Dellinger Johnson was born on November 17, 1942 in Charlotte, NC to Miriam Martha Robinson Dellinger and Flay Grigg Dellinger. She was preceded in death by her husband of 35 years, Roger Leroy Johnson, her parents, his parents and his sister. She leaves behind 2 daughters, Paige Johnson and Blaire Johnson and her partner Mike Driver, her sister Cynthia Dellinger Davis and son, Neil Davis.
Susan was part of the 1st graduating class at Garinger H.S. in Charlotte, NC in 1960. After attending Stetson University for 2 years, Susan transferred to UNC-CH where she served as President of McIver Dormitory and the Stray Greeks. She was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa and the Valkyries and graduated in 1964 with a BA in History. She was a Carolina Tarheel through and through.
After graduation, she and her best friend, Rosemary Edgar Dufton worked in Hamburg, Germany and Madrid, Spain and traveled extensively throughout Europe.
Upon returning to the U.S. in 1966, Susan was employed by Western Electric in Winston-Salem, when she jumped at the opportunity to transfer to NYC. With her ironing board strapped like a surfboard to the roof of her grey Volkswagen - the DSB aka the Dirty SnowBall, Susan headed North to The Big Apple. Stories of living in "The Mansion" with her girlfriends in the 60's on Central Park West became legendary - including toga parties, steel drum bands and softball in Central Park.
While in NYC, she met the love of her life- the kind, humble, intelligent, fun, handsome Roger L. Johnson, who she married in 1970. With daughters Blaire and Paige, the family lived in Chatham, NJ, Shreveport, LA, Marietta, GA, and Basking Ridge, NJ before Roger and Susan retired to Raleigh, NC.
After Roger's passing, Susan wrote: "And I know this morning, that you want the three of us to share all that you have given us - the love, the tenderness, the caring for others and each other, the concern for the state of our world, the love of nature, the openness to new ideas and the commitment to learning, the respect for ALL people, the beauty of diversity." She lived by these words.
Susan was known for her infectious laugh, radiant smile and her kind, generous spirit. Susan was as passionate about her community and her numerous volunteer commitments as she was about her family.
Throughout her life, she had a reputation for being a fearless chef who would undertake any culinary challenge for progressive dinners and gourmet groups where she was known for being a hostess extraordinaire and the dessert queen! New neighbors were always welcomed with Susan's banana bread. Susan also loved Cary Presbyterian Church, books, movies, theater, museums, the symphony, Starbucks, Jeopardy, skiing, tennis, gardening, book clubs, water aerobics, Carolina Beach, Mossy's Most Wanted NC BBQ Sauce, The Sound of Music, "Que Sera Sera", To Kill A Mockingbird, PBS and NPR.
Her lifelong love of travel included a Cary Presbyterian mission trip to Guatemala, trips to Alaska and Europe, sailing down the Nile, riding camels in Egypt, hot-air ballooning over the great pyramids and a trip to Mongolia and Russia via the Trans-Siberian Railroad.
In 2011, Susan was diagnosed with vascular dementia after surgery and radiation to remove a benign brain tumor. Her daughters are grateful to Teepa Snow's organization, Positive Approach to Care, for providing resources and classes teaching them how to engage with Susan in "her world" as her dementia progressed. Paige and Blaire learned to focus on Susan's abilities which led to priceless moments of clarity, laughter and expressions of love. Susan navigated dementia's challenges with kindness, goodwill and a sweet spirit which endeared her to all who cared for her.
Susan passed away on July 5th at her home, with loved ones by her side. She will be forever missed by her devoted daughters, who are thankful that she is no longer suffering, and delighted that her dream of going upstairs to have lobster dinners with Mr. Johnson has finally come true.
Donations may be made to Cary Presbyterian Church; Financial gifts may be made to Teepa Snow's Positive Approach to Care. Contact info@teepasnow.com or call (877) 877-1671 ext 1.
Condolences may be shared at Legacy.com.