Norma Betty Johnston

Norma Betty Johnston went home to be with the Lord on April 1 2022. We think she chose April Fool’s day specifically because of her amazing sense of humor. It was also the day she moved into the only home she shared with her husband for 60 years who preceded her in death. She was born on 3/29/1926 to James and Marie Hunt. She had two younger brothers  Stanley and Richard Hunt who also preceded her in death. She was a caring and protective big sister all her days watching out for their children and grandchildren as her own. Due to her father’s career she moved back to her hometown in  the Imperial Valley, CA after spending her earlier years in Idaho next to the great snake river. It was there she met the love of her life Richard “Dick” Johnston and she knew from the moment she saw his “mop of golden locks” and his tricks on the bicycle she was hooked and that she knew from the first day that would go on to marry him one day. That she did on 3/6/1948 and they were married for 60 years.

 

She worked primarily in Speech Therapy for children in Special Education, and the joy she experienced helping others was immense, but the impact she made on them helping them to speak and have a voice was so far reaching and lifechanging because of her. Although she was a brilliant and humble teacher, she loved learning probably even more and had a passion to never stop being curious about the world. She was a voracious reader from the second her Aunt took her to her first public library. She was never afraid to ask questions and always strove to be a better person than the day before. She loved to share that knowledge and all her life lessons with all her loved ones (usually that day and via a voicemail and quickly followed up by a hand-mailed newspaper or magazine article). She was given a gift of self-expression in every form. No one can match her storytelling and thoughtful card writing abilities, and I think I speak for all the family that we will keep looking in the mailbox hoping for one more handwritten letter from her. I also think the card shops and the post office lost a bit of their stock the day she passed.

 

She had three biological children, but every child she met instantly became family including time spent fostering youth and the college students she rented rooms to at a reduced rate. Her sons are Steven, Matthew, and Christopher Johnston. She had five grandchildren Tahney, Travis, Brandon, Ryan, and Jack Johnston and two great-grandchildren Gavin Gaige and Keegan Kelly. She also considered her pets her family and she couldn’t say no if one showed up on her doorstep. Although she had no biological sister, Jean Johnston, her beloved sister-in-law is as close to that as you can become to a biological sister in this lifetime. She was loved and admired by all her family close and far in every role imaginable and made an effort to remember every person’s birthday and make it special with her “birthday box” of cards and decorations.  She also loved camping in the Sierras on vacations and getting the family together for holiday parties, but little did she know she was what made the camping and parties special and being able to see her smile, laugh, and get the best hugs were our biggest source of joy. She was our rock but we are going to keep celebrating the holidays and family she loved and carry on her traditions, even tomato soup cake (which is actually super delicious)!

 

Her biggest legacy by far is her faith in Jesus Christ. Her faith was unshakable. She was a testament to what loving the Lord can do in your life every day. She was able to find beauty, joy, and strength in every day, and honestly everything, because of her faith even in the darkest times. She never complained about her struggles aside from ensuring she didn’t upset one of us by anything she did or said. She shared her love and her love of the Lord with anyone who would take a minute to hear how it has helped her live and love and the verses she shared was always given at just the right time.  Her favorite verse was Proverbs 3:5 “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”

 

She was one of a kind and the world is missing a huge light in human form that is shining down on us from the stars now. Her life mattered to so many people. Her kindness knew no bounds and countless lives were touched and changed because of her presence in her life whether it was minutes or decades.  We know we will see her again one day in Heaven so no goodbyes, we will just “be talkin.”

In lieu of flowers we ask you can donate to the SPCA. Her love of animals was unparalleled and she loved this organization.

 

We are having a small intimate family memorial next month but please share your thoughts and memories of Norma here and we can add it to her book of Norma memories we are compiling.