Marie Arcuri Johnston

Johnston, Marie Arcuri, 102, of Tampa passed away on May 21, 2017. She was born March 15, 1915, in Tampa, daughter of Benedetto Arcuri and Fillippia (Candeleri), immigrants from Allesandria della Rocca, Sicily. After high school graduation she took a business course and as a secretary she did “something most secretaries only dream about;” she married her boss. Preceded in death by her beloved husband of 42 years, W A (Bill) Johnston, her three siblings, and her entire generation. She is survived by her three children, Marianna Clarke (Billy), Bill Johnston Jr (Pat), Hannah Vickery (Henry), eight grandchildren (Jennie Clarke Dimich, Melanie Clarke Bowe, Lindsay Clarke Barber, Tyler Johnston (Ida Marie), Heather Johnston Conley (Blake), Anne Marie Vickery Rivera (Carlos), Katherine Vickery Suits (Chris), Jonathan Vickery (Alexandria), 24 great grandchildren, and 23 great-great grandchildren. Four generations have adored Marie. She loved the Lord with all her heart, and was a charter member of Palma Ceia Baptist Church. Marie’s life was a true reflection of First Corinthians 13. Words cannot express how every member of our family has been blessed by her unconditional love, patience, kindness, and purity of heart. She has taught us how to live, love, serve others, forgive, and grow older with grace, humor, and dignity. Our family will always cherish the memories of our precious incredible unforgettable good times in her presence, loving and laughing and sharing in her love of the Lord, love of us and love of life. She made each one of us feel like we were her favorite. Heaven is now all the more dear with our mother, grandmother, great grandmother and great great grandmother there. Marie Johnston’s children Marianna Clarke (William D. (III), Billy) Jennifer Dimich (Alexander) Melanie Drake Chow (Peter) Christian Andrew Jonathan Drake Haley Giuseppi Josiah Drake (Michelle) Aray Mercedes Drake Grant (Karl) Jeremiah Emily Drake Marcus Ezra Drake (Chelsea) Michael Melody Melanie Bowe (Bobby) Patience Harris (Brandon) Isabella Rosalie Kurt Baum (Kristil) Kaley Karson Gretchen Baum Schuff (Rafael) Oliver Taylor Baum (Morgan) Colton Gracie Nicole Lindsay Barber (Dennis) Joseph (Tara) Landon Keaton Emmett Nathan (Pamela) Scarlett Naomi Layla Holly Wilmer A Johnston, Jr. (Patricia) Tyler (Ida Marie) Thomas Hailey Heather Conley (Blake) Jenna Nathan Hannah C. Vickery (Henry) Ann Marie Rivera (Carlos) Olivia Christian Juliet Katherine Suits (Chris) Chris Matthew Jonathon (Alexandria) Michael