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JOHNSTON, Paula J., 76, of
Longmont, passed away June 16, 2004, at Longmont United Hospital. Memorial
service 10 a.m. Tuesday, June 22, at First United Methodist Church. Inurnment to
follow services at Longmont Mountain View Cemetery. Cremation at Ahlberg Funeral
Chapel and Crematory. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to
the First United Methodist Church elevator/building fund and missions fund, sent
in care of Ahlberg Funeral Chapel.
May 25,
1928 — June 16, 2004
Paula Johnston of Longmont died Wednesday, June
16, 2004, at Longmont United Hospital after a brief illness. She was 76 years
old.
Paula was
born to Paul and Amy Rose on May 25, 1928, on their ranch in Eastern Colorado.
Her grandparents, Will and Bertha Durrett and Carl and Neta Rose, had
homesteaded there at the end of open range ranching. She spoke of happy memories
of family life on the eastern plains.
In 1939,
the family moved to Boulder, where her father was a teacher. Paula graduated in
1945 from Boulder High School and from the University of Colorado with a
bachelor of science in home economics. Paula taught chemistry and home economics
in Minataire, Neb., and at
Longmont High School.
She
married Howard E. Johnston in Boulder on June 7, 1951. They had four children:
Paul Ernest, Linda Kay, Larry and Gregory Howard.
They
began their married life as ranchers in rural Arlington, Colo. In 1956, the
family moved to Scottsbluff, Neb. From 1961 to 1963, the Johnstons lived in
Rapid City, S.D., before returning to Colorado and making their home in
Longmont.
Paula was
first and foremost a mother and wife. She was an equal partner in her husband’s
gas station and towing business. Paula was deeply committed to her First United
Methodist Church (FUMC) at local, regional and national levels.
She served on many boards and committees, including being the first woman lay
leader in the western region and continuing member of United Methodist Women.
She was an active volunteer in the community, serving on multiple boards and
serving as a school board member for six years. She also ran for state
representative, was active in AAUW, League of Women Voters, Girl Scouts, Head
Start and on the Hover Manor board. Recent involvements include volunteering for
Community Food Share, Columbine School program and Kids Hope.
Paula
gave unconditional love to all she met and will be missed by her family, friends
and community for her devotion, sense of humor, loyalty, strength and outgoing
and caring manner.
She was
preceded in death by two sons, Gregory Howard in 1988 and infant son Larry in
1953; and her parents, Paul and Amy Rose.
She is
survived by a son, Paul; grandson, Paul; daughter, Linda; grandsons, Nathan
Izzolena and his wife Jessica and Brian Izzolena; and her granddaughter, Mya
Izzolena; great-grandchildren Tamara, Anthony and Vinnie; sister Joan Skinner of
Davis, Calif.; nephews Kenji Skinner and wife Judy, Kristopher Skinner and wife
Jill, Karena Moravec and husband Eddie; grandnieces and nephews; sister
Elizabeth McCall of Longmont; four nieces, Janna Sharp, Gina McCall, Stephanie
Mann and husband Paul, Vanessa Lamb and husband John; and grand- and
great-nieces and nephews; Aunt Beulah Cherney and husband Howard; many cousins;
grand- and great-nieces and nephews; and extended family.
Memorial
service 10 a.m. Tuesday, June 22, at First United Methodist Church with the Rev.
Bruce Maxwell of the church officiating. Inurnment to follow service at Longmont
Mountain View Cemetery. Cremation at Ahlberg Funeral Chapel and Crematory.
In lieu
of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the First United Methodist
Church elevator/building fund and missions fund sent in care of Ahlberg Funeral
Chapel, 326 Terry St., Longmont 80501. |
