OBITUARY
Kathleen Elizabeth Johnston
December 27, 1945 – January 9, 2021
Kathleen E. Johnston age 75; of East Lansing; passed away Saturday, January 9, 2021. She was born December 27, 1945 in Detroit, Michigan the daughter of Charles and Marion (Mackenzie) Goodenow.
Kathy graduated from Redford High School in 1964. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Alma College in 1968. She married James Johnston on September 13, 1969 in Detroit. She graduated with a Master of Arts from Michigan State University in 1971.
Kathy worked in the Detroit Public Schools as a reading specialist before moving to Alma where she worked as a teacher and principal of Republic School. She took great pride in teaching the Adult Basic Education program students how to read. Kathy was an avid reader, herself, and loved spending time with her book club friends. One of her greatest joys was reading books with her grandchildren. She was a very active community volunteer and was a member of the Alma Highland Festival board of directors and the Gratiot County Reading Program. She enjoyed volunteering as the librarian at St. Mary’s School.
Kathy was known for spending her summers at the cottage in Kincardine, Ontario and loved spending time with her extended Bruce Beach family.
Kathy is survived by her daughter, Susan, son-in-law Steve and their children, Heather and Ryan Olson of Chicago; sister and brother-in-law, Peggy and Terry Felton of Mercer Island, WA; and her brothers- and sisters-in-law, John and Micky Johnston of Alma; Ann Johnston of Arlington, TX; Laura and Greg Clark of Alma; Mark and Mary Johnston of Lansing; Mike Johnston and Jean Schultz of Rochester, MN; and Dave and Sally Johnston of Alma; and her many, much-loved nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her husband, Jim; sons, Chris and Scott; her parents, Charles and Marion Goodenow; brother John Goodenow; and father- and mother-in-law, Sam and Betty Johnston. A memorial service will be held at a future date.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be made to the Goodenow Endowed Scholarship Fund, which was created to honor Kathy's parents, Marion and Charles Goodenow.
If you'd like, gifts can be directed to that fund online at https://www.alma.edu/giving/make-a-gift/online-giving/ with the designation selected as "Other" and "Goodenow Endowed Scholarship" included in the notes section.
Or, gifts can be sent directly to the college: Alma College Advancement 614 West Superior Street Alma, MI 48801
Memorial gifts can also be made to St. Mary's School, where Kathy volunteered as the school librarian.
Gifts can be sent to the school: Nativity of the Lord/St. Mary's School 220 W. Downie St., Alma, MI 48801
Services
No public services are scheduled at this time. Receive a notification when services are updated.
Memories
Kathleen Elizabeth Johnston
have a memory or condolence to add?
ADD A MEMORYSandy Bosker
January 19, 2021
What a beautiful woman inside and out! And oh so kind. She was such a good friend to my mother, Sarah Fuentes.
Sheila Yarnell
January 18, 2021
Kathy was a wonderful person and she will be missed by all who knew her. Her community service was outstanding. She would have done anything for anyone. Rest in peace my friend.
Fran and Mike Groves
January 18, 2021
Dear Susie and family, Mike and I offer you our deepest sympathies on the loss of your mom. You and Sara shared a wonderful friendship and there are memories of your mom wrapped into that. She was always such a kind and caring mother and friend.
Jean Goetz
January 18, 2021
Kathy was a lovely woman and dear friend. We all enjoyed her company and insightful comments during our book club discussions. Some of our meetings were in her home where we were feted like royalty at her dining table with delicious food and delightful conversation.
The enclosed photo was recently taken in October 2019, before the pandemic, when we met in person and not on zoom.
Kathy will be greatly missed. May she Rest In Peace.
Renee Faustmann
January 17, 2021
Oh Captain, my Captain... You will be so dearly missed!
Jane Rath Dickie
January 17, 2021
One more picture, 1968 and 2018.
Jane Rath Dickie
January 17, 2021
Kathy Goodenow Johnson was a remarkable woman. I knew this from the time I was her roommate and Sister in the Alpha Theta sorority at Alma College. She was able to maintain so many diverse friendships that always included careful listening and emotionally embracing whomever was before her. In the last days before graduation, she put aside her own interests to help me put together my thesis. She was that sort of good heart, generous with her time and talents. I watched her as she met weekly in early morning meetings to try to help the town of Alma develop a first-class Highland Festival. As she would say, "if you don't do the first one right, people will not come again". She saved them from many mistakes and help them launch what has become a the pride of the city and college. I will miss her tremendously. Peace and blessings on her dear family and friends.
alice martin
January 17, 2021
Kathy, was a wonderful friend and a remarkable lady. I will miss her, terribly.
Fawn Thompson
January 16, 2021
Kathy was always a easy going and understanding leader of Republic. She was deffintly a AMAZING lady who will always be missed.
Carol Baier
January 16, 2021
I do not know where to start . I was diagnosed 8 years ago with B.C .
cancer,
So off to China I went with Susan D .
Never did I think I would still be here.
I support the Run fo the Cure each year .
This past year it was virtual because of Covid .
My sister Liz helped me walk 5. K
We ended up in
your backyard thinking the only thing out of place
was the grass needs mowing.
We both looked at each other saying Kathy will be back .
Kathy wonderful friend and will be truly missed
Hugs to all ,
Curable Carol xo
Patrice Hornak
January 13, 2021
Chapter BE of the philanthropic organization P.E.O. remembers her fondly and we are so fortunate to call her our sister.
Susan James-Savage
January 13, 2021
Kathy has been such a supportive, gracious, loving person to the whole family. She always had kind words for everyone. Her own sorrows were born silently. Kathy was supposed to be the old lady digging in the garden at the cottage, 20 years from now.
Susie, Steve, Heather and Ryan, I am so sorry for your loss. Hugs for you all, and Peggy, too. ❤️