Laura Jean Johnston

Laura Jean Johnston passed away peacefully on October 15, 2022 at her residence in Salem, Oregon. Jean was born and raised on the family farm in Ferndale, Washington. She graduated from Ferndale High School in 1950 and then attended the Shaw Secretarial School in Bellingham. As a young woman Jean worked as a secretary in Bellingham and Seattle, Washington. However, in 1964 she was accepted into the Foreign Service of the United States Department of State. That began a long career as an executive assistant that would take her to postings around the world. She began her Foreign Service career in Italy and over the next 30 years had postings in several African countries, as well as Southeast Asia, Greece and the Bahamas. She had many friends in the Foreign Service with whom she traveled extensively and who became her overseas family. After she retired as a Foreign Service Officer, Jean resided in Tucson, Arizona for twenty years. She enjoyed golf, hiking, attending theater and concerts and volunteering with the Oasis program for senior citizens. Friends and family will probably remember her most for the dry sense of humor that made being with her so much fun. Most recently Jean moved to Capital Manor, a retirement community in Salem, Oregon, to be closer to her sister Mary Byrnes. Jean was predeceased by three brothers, Roger, John and Richard Johnston. She is survived by her sister, Mary, as well as numerous nieces and nephews, and their children and grandchildren. Jean will be laid to rest with her parents and other Johnston family members on Friday, October 21, 2022 at Woodlawn cemetery in Ferndale, Washington. Immediate family will gather at Woodlawn. Donations may be made in Jean’s name to St. Jude’s children’s hospital or the American Red Cross, two charities that she supported.