Mildred Eleanor Johnston

Mildred Eleanor Johnston, aged 91, passed away on January 1, 2015, in Chandler, AZ, surrounded by family. She is survived by her children Bill (Sue Griffin) of Chandler, AZ; Nancy (John MacAdams) of Canoga Park, CA; and Stephen of Eugene, OR. Her grandchildren are Kevin Johnston (Mindy Wohltman), Katie Johnston (Heather Baron), Jesse Smith (Ana Cardenas), and step-grandson Cameron MacAdams (Allie Moriarty). Her four great-grandchildren are Clare and Connor Johnston and DeAngelo and DeCaelo Smith. She is also survived by her extended family, including Michelle Turner Wright (Michael) and their sons Dylan, Jared, Lucas, and Aidan; and Audra Turner Valentino (Paul) and their sons Jayme, Paul Matthew, Brian, and Caden. She is preceded in death by her junior-high sweetheart and husband of 68 years, William Campbell Johnston, her brothers Donald and Harry and sister Betty Julien.

Mildred was born on August 1, 1923, in Greenfield, MA, to Theda (Hood) and H. Dunbar Davis, but she was raised in Somerville, MA. She graduated from Somerville High School in 1941. After graduation, she worked in the office of Burt Faulkner, a Massachusetts state legislator, before marrying in 1945 and starting her family, which became her life’s calling. Mildred and William moved to Arizona in 1981 to be closer to their children and grandchildren. Mildred especially enjoyed musical theater, ceramics, cake decorating, and playing the card game “Scat.”

Services will be held on Wednesday, January 7, 2015, at Valley of the Sun Mortuary and Cemetery in Chandler, AZ. There will be a visitation from 10-11 AM, the service at 11, and then Mildred will be laid to rest. A reception will follow. In lieu of flowers, the family would like to suggest donations be made in her name to the Hospice of the Valley Fund, 1510 E. Flower St., Phoenix, AZ 85014. The family also wants to express its gratitude to Ronier Cabreros, Mildred’s caregiver, for his dedication and generous spirit.