Cary Johnston's Obituary
Cary Wolf Johnston February 21, 1936 – March 28, 2026
Cary Wolf Johnston died peacefully at The Pines in Davidson, North Carolina on March 28, 2026. She was 90 years old.
Born Cary Bruns Hunt on February 21, 1936 in Nashville, Tennessee to Edwin and Katherine Hunt, Cary came to Davidson in 1965 when her husband joined the faculty at Davidson College. She quickly found both a home and a life’s work there, raising four children within a community she would serve for the rest of her life, whether through her children’s school, or as a volunteer with Crisis Assistance Ministry for a number of years after her retirement.
As a young mother, she also participated in a performing troupe that brought creativity and imagination to schools throughout Mecklenburg County, and loved entertaining Davidson College freshman advisees in her home.
Cary was an accomplished businesswoman, operating a home furnishings store in Mooresville for over twenty years alongside her second husband Gene Johnston. She brought that same practical intelligence to civic life, serving as vice chair of the Mooresville Planning Board and as a town board member in Davidson. She was known for seeking out many perspectives and building consensus across divergent viewpoints. Later in life, she served as president of the Resident Council at The Pines.
Politics was perhaps Cary’s greatest passion, and she made no secret of it — she was a proud member of the Democratic Party and was especially appreciated by those lucky enough to land on her email list for her political endorsements and voting recommendations. She inherited a love of politics and sports from her father, and her insights on both frequently proved correct. She famously called 49 out of 50 states in the 2008 presidential election.
Cary often said her proudest achievements were her four children: Kathy, Bert, Genny, and Cary Anne. She is survived by them, along with her sister Nancy Allen, ten grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her first husband Allen Wolf, second husband Gene Johnston, third husband Van Wulfen, and fourth husband, Ed Townsend.
Cary's family would especially like to thank the tireless staff at the Pines, who worked so hard to care for Cary and her family in the final years of Cary's life.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Employee Appreciation Fund at the Pines, Crisis Assistance Ministry, Davidson College Presbyterian Church, or the Democratic candidate of your choosing.
A memorial service will be held at 11 am Saturday, April 18 at Davidson College Presbyterian Church.
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