Mary Curran Johnston

Mary Curran Johnston, age 74, of Goodyear, Arizona, passed away on January 11, 2025, in Phoenix, Arizona. She was born on September 7, 1950, in Evanston, Illinois, to Francis J. Curran and Frances M. Curran.

Mary’s early life took her across the country. In 1956, her family moved to a suburb of Kansas City, Kansas, where she attended Saint Pius School for grades K-8. She attended Bishop Miege High School for two years. Then in 1966, the family relocated to Pleasant Hill, California, where she graduated from College Park High School in 1968. She later attended Diablo Valley College.

Mary began her career with AT&T, where she worked from 1969 until 1989. She then joined United Airlines, where she worked from December 1992 until her retirement in September 2004.

On September 1, 1989, Mary married the love of her life, Jerry Johnston. Together, they shared a passion for travel and adventure. Mary’s curiosity and love of exploring the world took her to numerous destinations, Canada, the Bahamas, St. Barts, St. Marten, the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Spain, Malta, France, England, Ireland, China, Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, and Thailand. She walked on the Great Wall of China, visited the Bridge on the River Kwai in Thailand, and vacationed on all the major Hawaiian Islands multiple times. Most of these travels were shared with her beloved husband, Jerry.

Mary is survived by her husband, Jerry D. Johnston; her stepsons, Steven and Gregory Johnston; her sister, Constance (Martin) Trokey; her brother, Christopher (Lizbeth) Curran; four grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. She was preceded in death by her mother, Frances M. Dollar, her father, Francis J. Curran, and her brothers Michael F. Curran and Robert J. (Kathleen) Curran.

A memorial service to honor Mary’s life will be held on Saturday, March 8, 2025, at 11:00 AM at Christ the King Church in Pleasant Hill, California.

Mary will be remembered for her adventurous spirit, her loving heart, and the joy she brought to all who knew her. She leaves behind a legacy of kindness, curiosity, and love for the world and its people.