Native Nebraska resident, Sarah Ellen (Johnson) Johnston, 75, died peacefully January 18, 2017, in her home with her son & caregiver, James of Phoenix, Ariz., by her side and son Robert and friend & caregiver Stephanie Ashley. Sarah was born on November 24, 1941, in Omaha, and adopted by Frank M. and Arvilla M. Johnson of Lexington.
She attended Lexington High School, graduating in 1960. She continued her education at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Education and received her Nebraska Teaching Certificate in 1964; this would allow her to teach young people music, the first love of her life.
In addition to entertaining, sewing, piano playing, Mary Kay Cosmetics and other entrepreneurial endeavors, she was an active member of the Alpha Omicron Pi Sorority and maintained a close alumni friendship late into life. Sarah was also a committed PEO member in Chapter DK serving as president, a charter member of Chapter AI.
She married James Arthur Johnston of Lincoln; the union welcomed two sons keeping her busy as a mom. She was quite active in her community, and a member of Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church where she enjoyed singing in the church choir and many times performed solo. Her kindness, loving nature, outgoing spirit, sense of humor, strength and beautiful voice of angels will be missed.
Preceded in death by her ex-husband James Arthur.
Survived by her sons, James Anthony, Phoenix, and Robert Grayson (Orna), Stratford, Conn. Grandchildren, Ronan and Ciara. Brother-in-law, Robert Eugene Johnston, Oakton, Va. Sister, Jeanette (Stan) Garner, and two nieces, Melissa Rock and Cindy Garner.
A celebration of life memorial will be held for Sarah E. Johnston at 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 25, at Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church, 8300 E. Pointe Rd., Lincoln, NE 68506. The family asks, in lieu of flowers, please choose a charitable donation in her name to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, www.nationalmssociety.org or Hospice of the Valley, 13614 N. 59th Ave., Glendale, AZ 95304, www.hov.org.
