Karen Bond Johnson | Eastern North Carolina Now

    Karen Bond Johnson, 64, passed away peacefully in Home Hospice Care on December 5, 2021, in Chocowinity, North Carolina following a valiant 10-year battle with Parkinson's disease.

    Born May 26, 1957, in San Diego, CA, Karen grew up in Southern California where her father was a Lieutenant at the San Diego Police Department, and her mother ran the reprographics center at San Diego Mesa College. Karen attended and is a graduate of the Academy of our Lady of Peace, class of 1975.

    After her graduation from San Diego State University in 1980, Karen worked in the Healthcare industry for Abbott Laboratories and later Enterprise Systems where she had a successful sales career.

    Karen met Eric, the love of her life, in April 1991, in a pizza parlor with some of his sailing friends after docking in her home port of San Diego. Their seven-month courtship was sealed with a cigar paper engagement ring where an official engagement followed in Chicago. Their love was celebrated in La Jolla, CA where they married on September 26, 1992.

    Shortly after the birth of their first son, Karen retired from her prosperous sales career in 1994. While mothering her children, Karen was an energetic volunteer in classrooms, for hockey and lacrosse teams, local food pantries, her bible study group and many other community projects.

    Karen had a kind heart with a soft voice who continuously displayed her selfless personality. She was an avid reader, shopper and with her creative mind she enjoyed to paint, weld, and craft, with a variety other talents and skills. Karen had a love for all animals but forever cherished her cat, Nicky, and family dog, Slapshot.

    Mrs. Johnson was predeceased by her parents, William Bond and Ruth Elaine Bond. Survivors include her beloved husband, Eric Lars Johnson; three sons, Brett Bond Johnson, Durham, NC; Scott David Johnson, Chocowinity, NC; Zack Lars Johnson, Chapel Hill, NC; two sisters, Mary Sehenuk (Jessie), Castaic, CA; Stephanie Bond, Lompoc, CA; father and mother-in-law, Richard (Dick) and Janet Johnson, West Boylston, MA; brother-in-law, David Johnson (Sandy), Sterling, MA; sisters-in-laws, Kirsten Andrews (Derrick), West Minster, MA; Beth Manjarrez (Josh), West Boylston, MA, and 14 nephews and nieces.

    The family expresses appreciation to members of the Vidant Home Hospice staff, and the many physicians and health care providers who participated in her care since first diagnosis of Parkinson's in 2011.

    A celebration of life service will be held at Hope Community Church, Raleigh, NC on Friday, December 10, 2021 at 12:00 P.M.

    In remembrance of Karen's life, the family asks that any charitable donations be made to the Parkinson's Foundation, Holly Springs Food Pantry, or any local school system to continue Karen's love of supporting children's education.

    In addition, we would like to continue Karen's legacy as "the life of the party," please remember Karen while enjoying your favorite beverage with a loved one.