Obituary of Patricia Ann Johnston

Patricia Ann Johnston (O’Neill), passed away December 22, 2022 at 92 years of age.

She was preceded in death by her husband Walter Johnston, Sr and her brother William O’Neill, Jr. as well as her parents William and Anna (Mom) O’Neill. She is survived by daughter Suzanne (David) Rayburn, son Walter Jr (Jay) (Laura) Johnston, grandchildren Scott (Melissa) Rayburn, Dr. Lindsay (Joshua) Holman, Cole Johnston, Allie Johnston, Sloan Martin, Spencer Martin, brother Thomas (Sandee) O’Neill, and great grandchildren, Connor Rayburn, Erin Rayburn, Kieran Holman, and Adelaide Holman. She is also survived by many cousins, nieces and nephews from the O’Neill, Bader, and Mom clans.

Pat and her husband Walt were active boaters and started boating when Walt was stationed in southern Texas with the US Air Force. When they retired in Michigan and joined Ford Yacht Club their boats seemed to get larger and larger ending with a 37’ Marinette that Walter watched get built in Kentucky. They boated all over the Great Lakes and Georgian Bay and became active in the Dearborn Sail & Power Squadron, a boating organization that teaches safe boating. Pat took every course that was offered and attained the grade of Senior Pilot, which meant that she was able to chart courses. She was one of the few woman to achieve that grade at that time. She also held jobs within the Dearborn Sail & Power Squadron, and at the District (state) and National levels of the United States Power Squadrons. If they needed a job done, they knew that Pat would volunteer and give it 110% effort. Pat and Walt also did a lot of traveling throughout the United States, Europe, and the Caribbean.

Pat was very active with her church, Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Livonia, with both the altar guild and leisure timers. She loved her family and was proud of all of their achievements. She was loved by many and will be missed by all.

A Celebration of Life will occur in the spring. She will be interred at the Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly, where Walter lies. Any donations can be made to the Alzheimer's Association or Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Livonia