Olga Terán Johnston

Olga Terán Johnston, a cherished mother and beloved matriarch, passed away on August 12, 2024, at the age of 88, after a brave battle with dementia. She spent her final moments surrounded by family and friends, who will forever remember her boundless love, warmth, generosity, and strong, outspoken spirit.

Born and raised in Uruguay, Olga worked as a nurse in Montevideo until her singing talent took her to Panama where she met and married her husband, Willy. Olga moved to the United States after marrying and quickly became a devoted supporter of her adopted homeland. Her love for her family was unmatched, and she found immense joy in motherhood. Olga expressed her deep affection through her remarkable culinary talents, ensuring that no one ever went hungry. Every meal she prepared brought immense joy to her husband, children, and all who gathered around her table. She was also deeply involved in her children’s lives, even becoming a skilled stroke coach when they took up swimming. Her commitment to her family extended to her community, where she dedicated countless hours to volunteer work, always putting others first and extending her warmth to everyone she met.

Olga’s love knew no bounds. Her kindness and warmth extended far beyond her immediate family, embracing everyone she met and welcoming them into her heart as part of her extended family. Her legacy of love, strength, and generosity will live on in the hearts of all who knew her.

Olga is survived by her husband, Joseph “Willy” Johnston; her daughters Teri (Javier) Schmidt and Derby (Jason) Stevens; her son JJ (Melanie) Johnston; grandchildren Daniel and Nicholas Schmidt; Alexie and Kennedi Johnston and Olivia and Preston Stevens; and her “adopted” daughters, Liliana Mariano, Virginia Rangel, Jane and Lynn Lam