Dorothy Johnston

Dorothy Isabelle Johnston (née Young), 98, of Grove City, Ohio, passed away at home, surrounded by her family, on November 5th, 2022.

Dorothy was born on August 19th, 1924 to William Young and Opal Young (née Evans), in Thomas, West Virginia. She grew up in nearby Leadmine, WV. After her father's death her mother would remarry, William Judy, and she would soon become the oldest of 10 children.

Dorothy had an extremely sharp mind and became the first of her family to graduate high school, two years early, at the age of 16. She then went on to nursing school in Baltimore, Maryland and would attend training at the famed Johns Hopkins. In 1944 she volunteered to join the U.S. Cadet Nurse Corps., with WWII ending before she would be deployed. Upon continuing her nursing career, she met and then married Dr. C. Eric Johnston MD, in November of 1947.

Dorothy gave birth to twins, James Eric and John Charles, in 1949, in Parsons, WV, with baby James Eric passing days after birth. The family then relocated to Columbus, Ohio, in 1950, where they would then welcome son Jeff, and daughter Sue. Dorothy would remain in Columbus, raising her family in Upper Arlington, until 1973 when she returned to her beloved mountains of Tucker County, West Virginia. Dorothy worked as a nurse in both the Tucker County hospital and Courtland Acres Nursing Home in Thomas, WV.

She was a lifelong reader, devouring books well into her 90s. She enjoyed researching and documenting the family histories and collecting coins and stamps. She had a quick sense of humor, an effortless green thumb, and loved to fish. She also liked to cheer on the WVU Mountaineers and Ohio State Buckeyes. Above all else, she loved spending her time with family, and was a true matriarch.

In addition to her baby James Eric, she was preceded in death by former husband of 22 years, Eric Johnston. Also proceeded in death by son-in-law Ted Osgood; sister Jean Butts; brothers Don Young and Allen Judy; mother Opal Judy; brothers-in-law Sonny McDaniel, Pete Butts, Blair Neal and Bill Lantz.

Dorothy is survived by sons John of Grove City, OH; Jeff (Morgan Norvell) of Upper Arlington, OH; daughter Sue (Bob Bucher) of Powell, Ohio; Grandchildren Travis Osgood (Lisa) of Austin, TX; Megan Osgood of Philadelphia, PA; Eric Johnston (Kassy) of Cuyahoga Falls, OH; Kelley Johnston of Columbus, OH; Parker (Michelle) Norvell, of Columbus, OH; and Great Grandchildren Avery, Vivienne and Jack Osgood; Fiona and Harlow Norvell; along with sisters Shirley, Betty, Janice, Pat, Wilma and brother Jimmy; and many nieces and nephews.

Donations may be sent to the Leadmine United Methodist Church, c/o Karen Hockman, P.O. Box 92, Parsons, WV 26287.

A memorial gathering will be held from 1pm to 2pm on Friday, December 2, 2022 at Newcomer SW Chapel, 3393 Broadway, Grove City, Ohio until the time of the service at 2pm.