Mrs. Mary Magdalen Wrzesinski Johnston

Mary went to the Lord after a long battle with Vascular Dementia. She passed away peacefully on February 5, 2020, at her home surrounded by her children. Mary was born on April 1, 1937 in Bremond, TX, the youngest of 10 children born to Nicholas and Josephine Syzdek Wrzesinski. Her father was a farmer and a blacksmith in Bremond all his life.

The granddaughter of Polish immigrants, Mary began school at St. Mary’s Elementary School speaking only Polish and learned English from the nuns. She graduated from Bremond High School in 1956. After graduation, she moved to Fort Worth and worked for Montgomery Ward and then Lone Star Gas Company as the Secretary for the Purchasing Agent until she met the love of her life, Larry Johnson Johnston. They were married on June 14, 1958 at St. Patrick Cathedral in downtown Fort Worth. They lived in Fort Worth and Haltom City and eventually built their forever home in Bedford in 1963. That is where they raised their family of seven children.

Mary was a devout Catholic and faithful servant of the Lord and spent countless volunteer hours and working at both St. John the Apostle Catholic Church in North Richland Hills and St. Michaels Catholic Church in Bedford. Everyone that knew or worked with Mary, knew that she was a “take-charge” person and loved to be the leader. Her children quickly learned that when she told them to do something, saying no was not an option, which continued until her final days.

Mary’s pride was watching her grandchildren and great-grandchildren grow. She would brag to anyone who would listen about the ever-increasing number of them. Mary was grandmother to 19 grandchildren and Busha to 18 great-grandchildren. She always said her goal was to make it to 20 great-grands and although she will not get to hold them, the 19th and 20th great-grandchildren will be born this year.

Mary’s hobbies included sewing, crocheting, gardening, and watching endless re-runs of “The Walton’s.” Mary was a wonderful and supportive wife and mother, who was loved by all and will be sorely missed.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents and her loving husband, Larry. Her children are certain that he left a trail of candy hearts all the way to heaven for her to be able to find him. Also preceding her in death were her 9 brothers and sisters, Adelaide (Sister Mary Josetta), Albert, Julia, Stanley, Ted, Roman, Johnny, Simon, and Theresa (Sister Mary Amedia, also known as “Aunt Sissy”), granddaughter Melissa Nicole Owens, daughter-in-law Pam Johnston, nephew JP Lehoski, niece Mary Ann Wrzesinski and her loyal dog, Pedro.

She is survived by her 7 children, Detta Johnston Owens and husband Curtis, Albert Johnston and wife Kindra, Chris Johnston and wife Dianne, Kathy Johnston Rojas and husband Sam, Lex Johnston and wife Georganna, Theresa Johnston Smith and husband Steve, and Mary Johnston Schmidt and husband Dave.

Grandchildren, Karen (Joe), Stephanie (Nick), Chase (Emily), Matthew (Katie), Rachell (Jerry), Lauren (Chip), Cole (Bridget), Allison (Ryan), Ashley (Kyle), Camryn (Bubba), Tyler (Jessica), Nic (Kim), Trey, Caleb, Brittney (Trey), Theresa Bernadette and Mary Kathryn and step-grandchildren Luke and Jarod.

Great-Grandchildren, Seth, Sophie, Stella, Dean J., Hayes, Liam, Cooper, Dean H., Zeke, Nash, Fisher, Breck, Sadie, Abbey, Carson, Blakely, Ellen, Ethan and to come, Baker and Baby Gavito.

28 Nieces and Nephews, Cyndi, Frank, Donald, Stan, Patti, Mike, Paul, Mark, Joe, Ruth, Simon, Brad, David, Sally, Clem, Thad, Richard, Stephen, John, Nicholas, Greg, Betty, Anthony, Sharlotte, David, Mari, Jill, and Jay. 3 sisters-in-law, Dorothy, Ann and Patricia and her loving pet, Lucky.

Special Thanks to Heidi Brooks (aka, Heidi HoHo) and Tolofi Manisela for the loving care of our mother the past 6 months. She loved you both very much.

Donations can be made to the Building Fund at St. Michaels Catholic Church, 3713 E Harwood Rd, Bedford, TX 76021 or the Dementia Society of America, PO Box 600, Doylestown, PA 18901 or online at https://www.dementiasociety.org/donate.

If you wish to send floral condolences in honor of Mrs. Mary R Johnston, you may call Lilium Floral Design at 817-589-1566 or http://www.liliumflorals.com