Geraldine Johnston Obituary

Former Durango resident Geraldine Johnston died on Monday, July 14, 2014, in Lander, Wyoming. She was 98.

The youngest of four children, Mrs. Johnston was born to Cyril H. and Ruth Dietz Haas on Aug. 19, 1915, in Gözneh, Turkey. Her parents were missionaries in Adana, Turkey, and would return to the United States from time to time when conditions became difficult in Turkey. The family later moved to Pleasant Hill, Tennessee. Mrs. Johnston attended high school in the United States.

She went on to attend Pomona College in California in 1933 and later earned a degree in art and architecture at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.

After college, she moved back to California and worked for several architectural firms. While in California, she met Gerald Johnston. Their first date as a couple was to see the then-unknown singer Nat King Cole, according to her family.

When World War II broke out in 1941, Mr. Johnston, a captain in the U.S. Army, was shipped to Wilmington, North Carolina. He wrote a letter to Miss Haas proposing. She made the cross-country trip by train alone and the couple married Dec. 15, 1942, in Wilmington.

Because of Mr. Johnston's military service, the family lived in Texas, California and in the Philippines before settling down in La Jolla, California, after the war.

They lived in La Jolla for several years before moving to the Denver area where they lived for three years.

At the invitation of one of Mr. Johnston's army friends, the family moved to Durango in 1951. Mrs. Johnston worked for several years at Schluter Floral in Durango. She retired in 1995 at the age of 80.

"She was exceptionally kind and loving, yet appreciating fine art of many kinds," according to her family.

She was active in the First Presbyterian Church, Durango Public Library and the P.E.O. sisterhood, according to her family.

When she became unable to live alone, she moved to Lander, Wyoming, to be near her daughter Lucy Cone.

"She modeled unconditional love to anyone she met," according to her family. "Her laughter and quiet kindness in any situation will remain with us for many years."

Mrs. Johnston was preceded in death by her husband of 38 years, Gerald Johnston; and daughter Julie Squier.

She is survived by her son, Barry Johnston, of Gunnison; daughter, Lucy Cone, of Lander; seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held in Durango in the fall.