Patricia A. Johnston, Eucharistic minister
Patricia A. Johnston of Bethany Beach passed peacefully at the Delaware Hospice Center, Milford Saturday, June 12, 2021.
Patricia was born in Jamaica, Queens, N.Y., April 15, 1937, to Nicholas and Lucille Trapp. She grew up in Jamaica, and graduated from Dominican Commercial High School. In May 1956 she married her high school sweetheart, Richard (Dick) Johnston.
Patricia spent most of her adult life as a homemaker, raising her family of six children. In 1967 the family moved to Manalapan, N.J., where they resided until 1990. Pat was dedicated to her family and husband Dick; they were inseparable. While in New Jersey, Patricia was an active volunteer; she was president of the Monmouth Heights Garden Club, a lector and Eucharistic Minister for St. Gabriel’s Catholic Church, and involved with Worldwide Marriage Encounter as a priest scheduler and team couple.
In 1990, Pat and Dick retired to Bethany Beach. They spent their retirement years traveling the world, enjoying the Delaware beach area and continuing their volunteer work. Joining St. Ann’s Church in Bethany Beach, they quickly became involved with the parish. Pat was a lector and Eucharistic Minister, taking communion to the homebound. Pat’s children and grandchildren have lifelong memories of visiting Pat and Dick in Delaware, enjoying the beach, BBQs at the Salt Pond and the famous July 4th BBQ that they hosted each year.
Patricia is pre-deceased by her husband of 65 years, Dick Johnston; and daughter-in-law, Virginia Johnston. She is survived by her sister and brother-in-law: Kathy and Bill Vetter; her six children: Kathleen (husband Dennis), Donna Johnston, Richard Johnston (wife Lisa), Thomas Johnston, James Johnston (wife Maren) and Carolyn Keene. She also has five grandchildren: Alexandra, Andrew, Nicole, Michelle and Carleigh; and two great-grandchildren: Laurel and Jade.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m., Monday, June 21, at St. Ann Catholic Church, 691 Garfield Parkway, Bethany Beach, where friends and family may visit after 10 a.m. Interment will follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Dagsboro. The service will be livestreamed by visiting www.facebook.com/stannbb.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made to the Springpoint Foundation for Elder Care Living, Springpoint Foundation, 4814 Outlook Dr. Ste. 201, Wall Township, NJ 07753, 800-222-0609 https://springpointsl.org/foundation/donate.
Online condolences can be left by visiting www.melsonfuneralservices.com
