Mary Catherine Johnson

Mary Catherine Johnson, 81, of Newark Valley, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family at Ideal Skilled Nursing Care in Endicott, NY.

Affectionately known as “Kay” to her family, she was born on May 20, 1944, to her loving parents, Peter and Nora (Connell) Niznik at Ideal Hospital in Endicott, NY. 

A graduate of Newark Valley Central High School Class of 1963, Mary Kay loved the town she was raised in and never left. After High School she began working at Endicott Johnson in Owego, NY. In 1966 she was married to James V. Travis, and had two children, Christine & James H. Travis. She was remarried in 1979 to Horace “Ace” Johnson. Mary Kay worked at the Newark Valley Central School as a Teacher Aide in the Middle School Library media room, and then at the Owego Apalachin Central School as a Secretary/Payroll Clerk retiring after 23 years of service. She enjoyed planting beautiful flowers in her gardens and working alongside her husband in their yard at their home on Bridge Street. They also enjoyed summer vacations in Alexandria Bay at Swan Bay. Mary Kay was a member of the Cardinal Lanes Tuesday Night Ladies Bowling League and had many great times with her friends there. A lifetime member of St. John’s Catholic Church, she participated in the Religious Education program, the funeral dinner committee, Rosary Society, and was especially happy to work at the Ethnic Dinner hosted by St. John’s with her brother Dick. Mary will be remembered for her pretty smile and the kindest heart. She was a strong, loving and resilient Mother to her children. 

Along with her parents, Mary Kay was predeceased by her husband of 39 years, Horace “Ace” Johnson, beloved son, James H. Travis, brother Richard J. Niznik and his wife, Rosemary, and her brother, Peter A. Niznik. 

Mary Kay will be missed by many who survive her including her nieces and nephews, several cousins, and especially by her devoted and loving daughter, Christine, her son in law Christopher, grandchildren Scott (Jessica) Berghorn, and Megan Elizabeth Maloney. Also, by her sister, Theresa (Robert) Haupt of Middletown, RI. 

Our family would like to thank the staff from Independent Living to Skilled Nursing who cared for our sweet Mary during her 8 year residence on the Ideal Campus (as you know, she loved you and told you often). Mary was born and died at Ideal - a full circle as she said. We also would like to thank Guthrie Lourdes Hospice for the compassionate care and assistance they provided. A special thank you to the George Nalepa family for including her in the many fun and special outings you took her on. You all were a special blessing to her in her final years. She loved you all so very much.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. John the Evangelist Church, 28 Rock Street, Newark Valley on Tuesday, August 5th at 11:00am, a period of visitation will be held at MacPherson Funeral Home, 5 Whig Street, Newark Valley, NY, from 9:00-10:30am prior to Mass. Burial will follow in Hope Cemetery. Memories and condolences can be shared in her online guest book at www.macphersonfh.com. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made to the Tioga County Rural Ministry 146 Central Avenue, Owego, NY 13827 in loving memory of Mary Catherine Johnson.