Joan S Johnston's Obituary
Born January 18, 1929, Joan S. (nee Stewart) Johnston, 97, of Bountiful, passed away on February 22, 2026. She was the loving mother of and is survived by Ellen (William) Gwynn and Ann (Monte) Schmidt. She is also survived by her grandchild Amy Gwynn (Billy) Moyer and her great grandchild, Sienna Elise Moyer She cherished the friendship and support of her dearest cousin, Dianne Smith, her DAR colleague Judy Barking, and of her devoted neighbors Cory and Alivia Irwin.
Joan loved life. She had a tight gang of girlfriends, “The Terrible 12” at Lincoln High in Orem. Of the 12, Marie Rohrback Davis now survives. After getting her college degree, she travelled with her close friend Jeanine Watkins to Washington D.C. and they lived in the household of Jeanine’s father Senator Arthur V. Watkins. Senator Watkins chaired the Watkins Committee which led to the censure of Senator Joseph McCarthy. While in Washington, Joan took a job with “SAMBA” a division of the CIA working in an office next to the Russian Embassy.
Joan relocated to Utah with her daughters in the 1960s. She lived in Orem while obtaining a teaching certificate and then she moved to Bountiful where she taught Art and English at Bountiful Jr. High School until she retired in 1991. After retirement she volunteered at Lakeview Hospital from 1991 to 2019. Additionally, Joan was a dedicated and passionate member of the Sego Lily Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). In fact, she was slated to give a talk on the Marquis de Lafayette in February.
Joan was fiercely independent and lived life on her own terms. Being a single parent, especially in the 1960s and 1970s presented significant financial challenges and other limitations; but, she managed, with the help of her family, to find a way to navigate these obstacles.
Throughout her life Joan loved to travel. Nothing could stop her. She travelled throughout the United States, with multiple trips to Hawaii and Alaska, Mexico and the Caribbean, throughout Europe and had forged plans to go to Egypt and Greece next. Once in the mid-1980s, she secretly took a trip to Ireland and during the 24th of July celebrations in Bountiful some fireworks set fire to her roof. On her return to Salt Lake City, she was greeted at the airport by her daughter and moved temporarily to an apartment while her house was repaired. Totally Busted. She also travelled to suburban Philadelphia annually from November to mid-January to enjoy the holidays with her daughter Ellen’s family.
Joan was predeceased by her parents Thomas James and Cleopha Stewart, and her two brothers Donald (Dixie) Stewart, and Thomas James (Deanie) Stewart, Jr.
Mom, you lived your life with courage, kindness, and fortitude; yours was a life well lived. Know that there will always be a plate of pizzelles set just for you at our Christmas table. Rest in Peace, you are loved always.
A private Celebration of Life will be held on 26 February.
Donations in her memory are appreciated and can be made to the foundation of your choice.
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