Geralyn Mary Johnson

Geralyn Mary Johnson, 68, of Wake Forest, formerly of Parsippany, New Jersey, passed away peacefully on Friday morning, January 2, 2026, at her home, surrounded by her family.

She was born in Kenosha, Wisconsin, on December 31, 1957, the youngest of six children to the late Robert and Winifred Elmlinger Kehrer. She completed training and was a registered Respiratory Therapist in her early career.  Later, she completed a Bachelor's degree in Public Administration.  She found joy as a volunteer storytime reader at local libraries in the children's department, and eventually was recruited to join the staff at the Parsippany Library as a librarian and branch manager.

Geralyn was an enthusiastic crafter.  She completed many projects in counted cross-stitch and other needlework.  She was a skilled seamstress who created multiple outfits for her children and husband. Her crowning achievement in this was the reupholstering of a small sofa, complete with loose cushions and extensive piping.  She was also an aspiring quilter; she dabbled in crochet, silk flower arranging, and wreaths, but her main avocation was knitting.  She made scores of hats, scarves, and throws; the majority were donated to various homeless support organizations.

Geralyn was also an avid gardener, leaving behind a living legacy in New Jersey through the hundreds of daffodils she lovingly planted over the years. She and her husband shared a spirit of adventure, living in several states throughout their marriage. No matter where life took them, Geralyn found ways to build community, deepen friendships, and grow her “tribe.”

She volunteered generously for many causes, but one especially close to her heart was founding and administering ITMIG Advocates, a Facebook support group that offered connection, encouragement, and comfort to those with thymic malignancies.  She also worked closely with Project Linus, an organization that created blankets for hospitalized infants and children.

Mrs. Johnson is survived by her husband of 43 years, Steve Johnson; son, Enrique Johnson of Parsippany, NJ; daughters, Avanti Johnson of Dover, NJ, and Vanessa Johnson of Raleigh, NC; grandson, Cameron Johnson; brothers, Tim Kehrer (Pat) of Kansasville, WI, and Dan Kehrer (Carm) of Kenosha, WI; sisters, Donna and Sharon Neudorff of California; along with extended family and numerous friends.

In place of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to a cancer research foundation of your choosing.

Friends may visit with the family from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Friday, January 9, 2026, at Clancy Strickland Wheeler Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 1051 Durham Road, Wake Forest, NC 27587. (919-556-7400)

www.cswfuneralhome.com