Wilma Chloe Keeney Johnston

Wilma C. Johnston, 95, of Kansas City, Mo., passed away February 7, 2010. Funeral Services will be 10 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 10, at McGilley Antioch Chapel. Burial will follow at New Hope Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 9. Contributions may be made to American Cancer Society . Wilma was born June 17, 1914, in Eldon, Mo. She was married to Roy Dickey and had two children, Howard Dickey and Jessie Moomey. She was married to Dale Johnston for 47 years and had two children, Judy Johnston and Richard Johnston. Wilma was preceded in death by her husbands, Roy Dickey, Dale Johnston, daughters, Jessie Moomey and Judy Johnston. Survivors include her sons, Howard Dickey, Richard Johnston; sister, Marguerite Pipitone, seven grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren and one great- great grandchild. Arr.: McGilley Antioch Chapel (816) 453-7700.Tribute to Wilma “Chloe” (Keeney) Johnston

"A Tribute to Aunt Chloe"

by her niece Joyce (Ireland) McFarlane

on February 10, 2010.

The New Living Bible, 1 Corinthians 13:13 tell us, “There are three things that remain – faith, hope, and love – and the greatest of these is love.”

It is impossible to think of my Aunt Chloe without feeling a deep, abiding love for her. She gave love to us all in abundance whether we deserved it or not; and in return, we loved and respected her. In her daily behaviors, she showed her love for us in little ways that after years and years added up to a whole bunch of love. When I was a girl and my mother left me in her care, she always made sure to give me my peanut butter and jelly sandwiches cut diagonally because she remembered that I preferred them that way. It was a small gesture to be sure; but this modest act sent me a big message ----- that I was important and that she cared about me.

From time to time, after I was grown up, Aunt Chloe would send me an envelope chuck full of newspaper clippings of cartoons and articles that she thought would be of interest or amuse me. Sometimes, I would find additional items .......... family pictures, old Post Cards she had received from my mom and dad, or cancelled, contemporary stamps for my collection. She called these “mouse nests.” Enclosed would be a short note telling me a few tidbits of the latest news from her world. A few years ago, she told me that sending mouse nests to the folks she loved was her way of keeping in touch. Each time one came, I felt her love. I am surely going to miss getting those “mouse nests” and opening them with anticipation as I wonder what goodies she had picked out especially for me.

To know Chloe was to love her. She had a wonderful sense of humor and a knack for storytelling that would keep us all in stitches. Often, her humor was spontaneous. In the Summer of 1962, her family was visiting my family in Winside, Nebraska when we received word that her and my mother’s dad had died. The two families drove to Tulsa, Oklahoma in two cars for his services. At one point in the trip I was riding in the car with her, and we were following my mom. I looked over at the speedometer, my eyes got big, and I said “Aunt Chloe, you’re going 80 miles per hour.” Without missing a beat, she answered, “I know; but I have to keep up with your mom. She’s got our lunch!”

Chloe endured more than her share of heartaches during her life; but early on, she learned to roll with the punches. She lovingly cared for Judy at home until she could no longer do so. During all the years I knew her, I never once heard her speak of the sacrifices she had made. She was a true example of a mother’s love. Indeed, my Aunt Chloe was all about love. When Brenda, her granddaughter, emailed us that Aunt Chloe was on the final leg of her journey home, she ended her message by saying, “I know she loves you all. I know you all love her and we are blessed that she's a part of our lives.” Right on, Brenda! She will be greatly missed; but our love for her will live on in each of us for our remaining years.