Obituary of Catherine Johnson Lee

Catherine "Cathy" Johnson Lee, 81, of Oak Island, North Carolina, passed away peacefully at Glenbridge Health & Rehab in Boone, NC on 09/21/2022. She was born to parents Emanuel "Lefty" Johnson and Marianna B. Johnson, on 08/02/1941 in Washington, DC. She graduated from Atlantic City High School in 1959. She went on to study Nursing at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and graduated in 1963 with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. She worked as a NICU Nurse for over 40 years, spending most of her career at Charlotte Memorial Hospital in Charlotte, NC, now named Atrium Health Carolinas Medical, and then the final part of her career at New Hanover Hospital in Wilmington, NC., where she retired in 2006. She enjoyed fishing, traveling whether it was alone or with her two sisters to go on shopping sprees in Charleston and Pigeon Forge, bird watching, was a volunteer at the Cape Lookout lighthouse, and most of all loved spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren, Nicky, Gabbie, and Xander. Her family has many fond memories of her and will miss her beautiful smile, unconditional love, tender soul, and infectious laugh. She raised her children, Donnie and Kim, on her own and they will tell you that they are the people and parents they are today, because of her and the example she lived by. From taking them out in the rain to go on walks, to traveling on spur-of-the-moment weekend trips, to being there for them no matter the reason. Her grandchildren were the joy that filled her heart. If you were to ask her what she loved most, she would tell you it was her grandchildren. She enjoyed all her time with them from fishing, watching soccer, baseball, or basketball games, to baking and decorating for Christmas. The family will tell you their hearts are full because of her. Cathy is survived by son Donnie and his wife Heidi Lee, of Newport, NC, and daughter Kim, and her husband Tommy Havelos of Todd, NC; her three grandchildren Nicky Lee, Gabbie Lee, and Xander Havelos; her two sisters Chris and her husband, Richard Noecker, of Southport NC, and Vicki Duncan of Southport, NC; and her many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents Emanuel and Marianna Johnson, sister Mare Johnson, and her brother-in-law Terry Duncan. The family has entrusted Austin and Barnes of Boone, NC with the arrangements. A Memorial Service is scheduled for Saturday, October 22, 2022, at 2:00 pm at St. Paul's Episcopal Church 215 Ann St, Beaufort, NC 28516. A reception of light snacks for all will follow immediately after the service in the parish hall of the church. Mother Tammy Lee will officiate the ceremony. Cremation and burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Cathy's name to Medi Home Health & Hospice of Boone, NC, or St. Paul's Episcopal Church of Beaufort NC. Online condolences may be shared at the website www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com