Kathleen Diane Johnston's Obituary
Kathleen Diane Roberts Johnston passed away peacefully at her home in Dallas, Texas, on October 19, 2015 surrounded by her family, after a long and courageous battle with cancer. Born December 14, 1946, in Findlay, Ohio, to Fred and Florence Roberts, Kathleen grew up in Findlay and attended the University of Tennessee, then lived for several years in Germany, California and Atlanta. After finally settling in Texas, she joined national cosmetics and real estate investment companies, in each case rising to positions in senior management and earning the respect and admiration of everyone with whom she worked. In 1979, while living in Houston, she met the love of her life, Jeffrey Alan Johnston. They were married for 35 years, and spent most of that time in Dallas, Texas, devoted to raising their two sons – Jeffrey Alan, Jr. and Chase Patrick. Kathleen was beautiful, inside and out, with a vivacious personality. Her welcoming nature and intellectual curiosity made Kathleen a wonderful friend and companion and led to a lifetime of warm relationships with a wide circle of friends and family. While she enjoyed traveling with family and friends, especially if there was antiquing afoot, she could be found most weekends with her family and faithful dog, Oliver, at the family’s house on Cedar Creek Lake. Her infectious optimism caused her to see life’s glass as not just half full but overflowing, setting an example that we all will remember and always strive for. She was an amazing wife, mother, and friend, and led a life of goodwill, courage, bravery and strength of conviction, and has been a shining light for her family and friends in every way imaginable. There was a special place in her heart for Dr. George Thomas Shires, Dr. Kristi McIntyre, Dr. Gabriel Hortobagyi, Dr.William Dittman and Dr.William Stevens, who gave her amazing care and guidance over the years. Kathleen was a member of Park Cities Presbyterian Church and a board member of Young Life. In addition to her husband and sons, Kathleen is survived by three loving siblings and their spouses – Gwen McGrath, Fran and Paul Roberts, and Jack Roberts, and seven half-siblings – Patti, David, Fred III, Bobby, Steve, Denise and Annette. She was loved and adored by her sisters-in-law and their husbands, Leslie and Mark Winter and Syndi and Terry Bell, and brother-in-law Matt Johnston and his wife Kyndall. Kathleen had a large and close-knit extended family of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. A private burial will be held at Restland Funeral Home followed by a Celebration of Life Service at Park Cities Presbyterian Church on Monday, October 26, 2015 at 1:00 pm. A reception will be held in Fellowship Hall immediately following the service. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Restland Funeral Home and Memorial Park, 13005 Greenville Avenue, Dallas, TX 75243. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Young Life (www.northdallas.younglife.org) or Texas Health Resources Foundation benefiting the High Risk Breast Cancer Fund (www.texashealth.org/giving.com).
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