Ruth Margaret Johnston, who died on Jan. 7 at the age of 92, surrounded by her loved ones, took her “love of family gatherings, baking, traveling, and playing games” wherever she lived, from her vacation house in Springs to her retirement home in Bonita Springs, Fla., to her most recent home at the Stoneridge Senior Living Community in Mystic, Conn., her family said. “Ruth was always opening her heart and home to all,” they wrote. “She was a compassionate, kind, and generous soul,” who had “an infectious smile and a warm personality.”
Mrs. Johnston was born in the Bronx on Nov. 28, 1931, to Charles Timm and the former Margaret Hanson. She grew up there and was a member of the Bronx chapter of the Triangle Club, a service organization, and was elected its queen in 1951.
She earned her associate’s degree from Concordia College in Bronxville, N.Y., before marrying David B. Johnston in 1955. They raised their three children in Eastchester, N.Y., and were active in the Village Lutheran Church in Bronxville. Mrs. Johnston worked with her husband in his Electric Sewer and Drain Service business, which operated in all five boroughs.
Mrs. Johnston’s favorite role was that of grandmother. “She treasured time with her grandchildren and loved being their grandma/mumum, never failing to hug, spoil, and love on them,” her family wrote. As the grandchildren got older, “she was never one to judge and always was their biggest cheerleader and supporter.” When her great-grandchildren came along, they, too, found that “her love had no bounds.”
She is survived by her children, David Johnston of East Lyme, Conn., Carol Phillips of Livonia, Mich., and Linda Kobbe of Farmington, N.H.; by eight grandchildren and six great-grandchildren, and by a close cousin, Joyce McComb of North Bergenfield, N.J. Her husband died in 2002. Her brother, Albert Timm, and a granddaughter, Remy Johnston, died before her.
A celebration of her life will be held at a later date. Her ashes will eventually be spread at Louse Point in Springs, along with her husband’s ashes.
Her family has suggested donations to World Vision, online at worldvision.org, or to Mothers Against Drunk Driving at madd.org.
