Lorraine (Maggy) Johnston, 87 years old, of Peru, NY and Leesburg, FL passed into eternal life at her residence in Leesburg, FL with her loving family at her side. She was born in Plattsburgh, NY on October 14, 1935, the daughter of Lula (Lozier) Maggy and James W. Maggy.
After graduating from Peru Central in New York, she received a Bachelor and advanced degrees at SUNY Oneonta and SUNY Plattsburgh, NY.
On August 20, 1957 Lorraine married the love of her life and best friend, Jack Johnston at St. Augustine’s Church, Peru, NY.
She retired from the teaching profession after having taught 32 years in New York, Arizona and Idaho. She was a devoted teacher of grades four through six and also taught in Peru’s remedial reading and math center.
Lorraine was especially fond of the arts, especially musicals where she made her first “musical debut” in fourth grade as Melda Alvena Podger in Aunt Druscilla’s Garden. She also had the lead role as Katisha in the Mikado and was given the pleasure of repeating the same role as an adult under the direction of Mr. Lynne Wilke. Especially memorable for an accomplishment for one from rural America was the winning of second place in the schools girl’s sextet on the Ted Mack’s amateur hour for national TV. Attending plays musicals continued to be one of her favorite pastimes.
A shared love of travel led she and her husband, Jack, to explore many of the highways and byways of America in their RV. Great satisfaction was gained from meeting a variety of people and becoming familiar with their culture. Viewing many of America’s sights from coast to coast and never missing a National park in their travels was a precious gift for many May to September seasons.
She served as Eucharist Minister and Hospital Minister to the sick in New York and Florida.
Lorraine was predeceased by her beloved Husband Jack Johnston, her Father James W. Maggy, her Grandparents Ernest and Margaret Lozier, several aunts, uncles, and dearly loved cousins.
Survivors include a son, Scott Johnston and a daughter-in-law Marlene and a grandson Max of Baton Rouge, LA and her Mother, Lula Maggy (age 106) Clermont, FL.
There will be no viewing hour. A Mass of Christian Burial and Celebration of Life will be held at St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Leesburg, FL. and internment in the St. Augustine Cemetery in Peru, NY.
