Victims advocate dies, 86
Made history in Orange, Orlando
Mary Johnson, a trailblazing community leader who served 12 years each as the first Hispanic person elected to the Orlando City
Council and the Orange
County Commission, died
Wednesday.
Johnson’s legacy includes the creation of the
Victim Service
Center of Central Florida, which every year helps thousands of survivors of sexual assault and other violent crimes. She was 86.
“It is because of her vision, persistence and tenacity that the Victim Service Center exists,” said Lui Damiani, the center’s executive director and Johnson’s long-time aide.
Johnson, known for wearing a butterfly pin on her shoulder, died at home surrounded by her family, said her son, Charles Johnson of Orlando.
He and other family members may get shoulder tattoos of a butterfly in her honor. The Victim Service Center uses a butterfly as a symbol of hope on its web site.
Johnson also hosted annual teas at Leu Gardens to encourage women to become not only participants but leaders in local government.
Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings paid tribute to Johnson Thursday.
“I had the privilege of working with her in both roles and she remains one of my favorite public servants,” he said, referring to her long service to the city and county.
Damiani said she was a tireless advocate who served on more than a dozen key community boards, including the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority, the LYNX Central Florida Regional Transportation Authority and the Central Florida YMCA.
He said she helped shape and guide the growth of Central Florida into a world class business and travel destination.
“She was a great leader, personal mentor and friend whose legacy lives on through the work of the VSC”, Damiani said.
Born Maria Ignacia Perez, she was the wife of a career Navy man, Robert Johnson, who died in 2005.
They were married 54 years. “I couldn’t go to the grocery store, post office, anywhere with her and not have people ask, ‘Mary, when are you going to run again? We need you,’ ” Charles said.
She loved dancing and Sunday brunch with her son.
Johnson led efforts to build a park near Orlando Executive Airport, a YMCA in Blanchard Park and was the swing vote to build the original Amway Arena.
Others remembered Johnson fondly, too.