Kathleen Johnson (Ryan), of Shirley MA, passed away peacefully after a long illness. The oldest daughter of the late Robert and Barbara (Murphy) Ryan of Melrose, MA, Kathy grew up in Melrose and attended Northeast Regional Vocational Technical High School. As a young adult, she attended Women in Electronics, where she received her professional certificate, and shortly thereafter began a career as an Electronics Technician. Kathy worked at Avco Systems and later Lasertron until 1995, when she decided to follow her dreams and move to Florida. Kathy always loved the beach and sun, playing cards and cribbage, and going out to eat (especially if she could also play Keno). She moved back home to Massachusetts after suffering a brain aneurysm in 2001, in order to be closer to her children and family.

Kathy fought lung cancer for three years, and ultimately succumbed after it spread to her bones and brain. She was known for her humor and fun loving nature, and kept her caregivers laughing even through the most challenging times of her Illness. She is survived by her children, Adam Johnson and his wife Sandy of Shirley, MA, Melissa Sloan and her husband Alan and her two granddaughters (Sarah and Laura), of Chelmsford, MA, as well as her siblings, Peggy Arsenault (husband Andy), Mary Penney (husband Frank), Sheila Farry (husband Dave) and Bobby Ryan (wife Debbie) and ten nieces and nephews.

Kathy preferred to see friends and family while she was still feeling well, and had a gathering in the fall to do so. There will be no service, but the family appreciates donations made in her name to Sawtelle Family Hospice House in Reading, MA, where she spent her last days.