Mary Alice Johnson

Mary Alice Johnson (b. Dunnagan), 85, of Ione, died peacefully at home on June 16, surrounded by her family after succumbing to Alzheimer's. Born to Bernice and Deacon Dunnagan in 1938 on a farm near the Chesapeake Bay in Virginia, her family moved to Long Beach, California in the early 1940s, then to North Edwards, the tiny desert town near Mojave serving Edwards Air Force Base where her parents both worked. She attended Saint Mary’s Academy in Los Angeles for high school, and then entered Mount Saint Mary’s University and Convent. Destined for a life in the Church, she instead decided to leave the convent upon graduation and begin her elementary school teaching career back in North Edwards. She met her husband, Carl Dominic Johnson, while teaching there, and in 1965, they moved their young family to Ione. Once her children were out of preschool, Mary became a much-loved 4th grade teacher at Ione Elementary, always innovating new ways to engage students and instill a love of learning. She also taught young adults at Preston School of Industry until the family moved to Okinawa, Japan in 1981, where she and Carl both worked with the Department of Defense Dependent Schools. Mary loved the family’s overseas adventure, teaching English to Japanese professionals, and traveling to Hong Kong and Mainland China. 

Returning to Ione for retirement in the early 90s, Mary treasured small town life. After her husband Carl passed away in 2005, she took comfort in her close friends and neighbors, beloved animals, visits from her children and grandchildren, gardening, her program friends and service work, and her love of poker tournaments! 

A devout, progressive Catholic all her life, Mary was a member of Sacred Heart Parish in Ione, active with the Mr. and Mrs. Club, Ladies Auxiliary, and Youth Group in the 60s and 70s, and a regular reader for Saturday night mass over the years. Mary and Carl hosted Father Minogue, Father Neary, and then Father Relihan for countless Sunday dinners, and later in life, she enjoyed her weekly Friday morning mass and breakfast outings with friends. 

Fun and sassy, and a kind, supportive and devoted daughter, wife, mother, grandma, and friend, Mary truly lived her Christian values. From helping her elderly neighbors and continuing to visit convalescent patients long after our grandmother had passed, to sponsoring fellow travelers in recovery, she held space for all in her life without judgment and with unconditional love. We will miss her dearly.

Mary was preceded in death by her brother Michael Dunnagan of New York and husband Carl Johnson. She is survived by son Michael Johnson and daughters Ann Marie Garcia and Kathleen Johnson, and cherished grandchildren Madison Garcia, Arianna Hamm, and Morris Goldman. 

A service will be held at Sacred Heart Parish, 20 Relihan Drive, Ione, CA 95640 on Friday, June 28, at 11:00 am, followed directly by a reception at Burke Family Restaurant at the Ione Hotel, 25 W. Main St, Ione, CA 95640 – all are welcome. In lieu of flowers, the family would welcome your donations to Hospice of Amador and Calaveras, 1500 CA-49 #205, Jackson, CA 95642.