Deborah Deatly Johnston

Debbie fought brain cancer with humor and grace, but it overtook her and she died on June 7, 2010. In the final days she was surrounded in peace and love by her friends and family at the Christopher House in Austin, Texas.

Debbie’s first love was horses. She always wanted to be on her horse, from the first ride at Houston’s South Main Pony Rides to the competition at the Pin Oak Hunter Jumper Show. She had a unique way to get her horses to shine in coat and spirit. She always enjoyed sharing her knowledge and respect for horses with others. Many of the young riders that she worked with have so kindly reminded us that Debbie’s passion for horses has enriched their lives.

She was born on June 23, 1952, in Houston, Texas, where she was raised and graduated form Bellaire High School in 1970. She earned a BA in psychology in 1974 and an MA in education in 1975 from Austin College, Sherman, Texas. She competed on the Kangaroo swim team, where she fell in love with fellow swimmer, David Johnston, whom she married on June 7, 1975. Together they raised two fine sons and trained and showed many horses and spent hours hiking with her Jack Russell Terriers in the greenbelt.

She is survived by her husband, David Johnston, and sons, Graham and Travis; brother Arthur G. Deatly and wife Charm Denise; sister-in-law Laura Johnston; brother-in-law Douglas Johnston and wife Celia; nephews Sam Deatly and William Deatly; nieces Nicole Johnston and Jessica Johnston. She is preceded in death by her parents Arthur G. and Catherine Shears Deatly and sister Kathy Deatly.

A memorial service will be held at 2:30pm, Tuesday, June 15, 2010 at Cook-Walden Funeral Home, 6100 N. Lamar Blvd.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the R.O.C.K., Ride On Center for Kids, www.rockride.org or Hospice Austin ¬www.hospiceaustin.org.

Arrangements under the direction of Cook-Walden Funeral Home, Austin, TX.