Cynthia "Renee" Johnston

Our hearts were broken when our Mother, Cynthia “Renee” Johnston (51), passed away with her family by her side on Wednesday, December 5, 2012 in Kirkland, WA. She was born February 15, 1961 in Shreveport, Louisiana to Bobby Ray Byrd and Peggy Lou Sembach.

Renee grew up in Houston Texas where she graduated from South Houston High School, with her sister Pamela and many cherished relatives. After her graduation, she began her accounting career in the construction industry which transferred her to California.

She met her true love, Mark in California in 1989 where they began a wonderful 23 year journey. They were married in 1992. They traveled throughout the US for the next few years while raising two children, Joshua and Kelcee. During this time, Renee created memorable friendships with people wherever she went. Her southern ways have changed the lives of many friends in the North East along the way. The family eventually settled in Pearland, Texas for three years before making their permanent home in Snohomish, Washington. Renee’s greatest joy came from being a mother and homemaker. For fifteen years, Renee enjoyed working out, sunbathing, planning and coordinating events, talking on the phone and spending time with her family. After 15 years of being a stay at home mom, Renee reentered the work force at a local engineering firm. She completed her career as the Director of Finance when she retired 2010 due to health issues. She was an accomplished homemaker, communicator, planner and cook (specializing in Southern dishes).

During the last weeks of Renee’s life, her spirit never faded. She continued to keep her sense of humor and bless the lives of those around her. She will be sadly missed by: her husband Mark, her children; Joshua and Kelcee; mother Peggy; sister, Pamela Zamora, and many nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles, and especially her two puppies; Harley and Suzuki. She was preceded in death by her father Bobby.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am, Sunday December 9, 2012 at Purdy & Walters at Floral Hills Funeral Home in Lynnwood Washington. A second service will be held in Pasadena, Texas, on Friday, December 14, 2012 at 12:30 pm at the Grand View Funeral Home.