Virginia Dona Johnston (Mead)

Virginia Dona (Mead) Johnston, 84, of Missoula, passed away peacefully of natural causes on Thursday, March 10, 2016, surrounded by her loving family.

She was born on October 11, 1931 in Aberdeen, South Dakota, to Walter and Alice Mead. She met the love of her life, Donald Johnston, while playing cello in the orchestra he directed. His service in the Korean War gave her time to finish nurses training before they married on December 25, 1953. She practiced her profession while Don finished his education, and after brief stints in other places, they made their permanent home in Missoula.

Ginny retired from nursing to stay home with their children, and in her spare time assisted many a grad student in creating a professionally finished thesis. Later she worked for the Montana Wildlife Research Unit, where she provided administrative support for many years.

She enjoyed participating in her church's choir and bell choir, collecting dolls, and trips back to the midwest for summers on the lake. She was an ardent supporter of the Missoula Symphony, many animal welfare organizations, and the Republican party. She loved books, music, chocolate, cats, and her family.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her younger brother Richard (Dick), and her oldest child, Susan.

She is survived by her devoted husband, her daughter Tamara (Jim) Whitehead, her son Richard (Debra) Johnston, her grandchildren Bo and Megan, and many nieces and nephews.

Services will be held at the First Presbyterian Church in Missoula, on Thursday March 17, 2016 at 10 am, with reception to follow at the church hall. Sunset Memorial Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements. Condolences for Virginia's family may be left at www.missoulafuneralhomes.com



Read Virginia Johnston's Obituary and Guestbook on www.missoulafuneralhomes.com.