Elizabeth Olof Sigurdson "Liz" Johnston

Elizabeth was born September 21, 1931 in Mountain, ND to Thorbergur M. and Ruth Sigurdson. She was one of fifteen children and moved with her family to Ballard, Washington in 1942 where she attended Whittier elementary, Ballard high school and was confirmed at Calvary Lutheran Church.

"Lizzy" was a hard worker all her life. You could tell she enjoyed it because she had many funny stories and childhood memories about working on her aunt's farm back in North Dakota or in the fields there and in eastern WA. with her dad and others.

When she got old enough "Liz" began working in the bar and restaurant business. She served breakfast to the fishermen at the dock where Ray's Boathouse is and along with her husband, Dell Dodds had a little fish shack restaurant in Westport, WA. They had a daughter, Zandra Rachelle. After they divorced she was back in Seattle working as a bartender when she met Arthur Paulos who she married and had three more children, Linda, Gregory and Gary.

She loved people and had many friends and interesting experiences over those years downtown. Known as a gutsy lady who was never afraid to step in to break up a fight and once took the gun out of a would-be robbers hand. She even helped in the making of a film where if you look hard enough you'll see her in one of the "bar" scenes.

In 1980 she married Gerald (Jerry) Johnston, retired and enjoyed "hanging out" in the winners circle at Longacres and at Portland Meadows as a race horse owner.

Then they moved to Minnesota for a couple of years where they were joined by her son, Greg and she was diagnosed with cancer of the larynx and underwent a laryngectomy at the Mayo Clinic. She never let it get her down and spent her time helping other people who'd gone through the same procedure.

When they moved back to Seattle granddaughter Crystal came to live in their house on Greenwood. When Crystal's friend, Theresa needed a home they became foster parents so she could stay. Then came Charchleen and Vivian who still call them mom and dad today. There were also other children who came for short stays and transitioned back into their families. Elizabeth had the ability to love them all equally.

Jerry's work took them to Texas for twelve years. They shared their beautiful home with their "doggy children" who Liz doted on so much her grandkids would get jealous sometimes.

In 2002 Jerry retired an they wanted to be near their children, grandchildren, nieces nephews and many great friends. They stayed in sister, Shirley's cabin on Hood Canal while their home was being built in Port Hadlock where she most enjoyed feeding the birds, squirrels, raccoons and other animals, and keeping her home and garden beautiful and ready for company as she loved having her family and friends around.

Elizabeth passed away peacefully December 26, 2011, in Seattle, WA, at the age of 80.

Elizabeth was preceded in death by....

her daughter, Zandra Rachelle Sauve. She is survived by her husband Gerald Johnston, her children, Linda Smith, Gregory Paulos and Gary Paulos, her grandchildren, Crystal Litts, Erik Smith, Aubrey Smith and Carissa Paulos and her great-grandchildren, Shana and Eric Litts, Shaun and Ysabel Smith and Marisela Rios. Preceded in death by siblings, Kristine Smith, Sam Sigurdson, Anna Marie Chester, Haldora Sigurdson, Donald Sigurdson, Carolyn Serino, Francis Diaz, Lavern "Deano" Sigurdson and cousin/brother John Sigurdson.

Survived by siblings....

Lovisa Gammons, Marino Sigurdson, Sylvia Leahy, Shirley Jo Sigurdson, Jacque Blair, Harold Sigurdson and cousin/sister Flora "Punky" Fanning.