Cover photo for Helen "Lois" Johnston's Obituary
Helen "Lois" Johnston Profile Photo
1926 Helen 2021

Helen "Lois" Johnston

July 7, 1926 — July 12, 2021

Helen “Lois” (nee Smith) Johnston, 95, of Swarthmore, PA, passed away on July 12, 2021.

Born in Philadelphia, PA in 1926, she was the daughter of the late Russell and Helen (nee Cook) Smith. Lois was a graduate of Frankford High and in 1947 received a diploma from the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania Nursing School and became a registered nurse. She worked for several years in Obstetrics and Radioisotopic medicine in New York City and Philadelphia before becoming a mother and homemaker. She later applied her nursing skills as a volunteer on American Red Cross bloodmobiles.

Lois was an accomplished seamstress and took pleasure in making clothing and upholstery as well as refinishing and restoring furniture. She devoted much of her time to volunteer work in the community, helping to found the Trinity Episcopal Church (Swarthmore) Thrift Shop where she worked for many decades, coordinating drivers for the Fish program (providing transportation for medical appointments) and working at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church Food Cupboard in Chester, PA. Lois was a long-time member of Trinity Church, where for many years she sang in the choir and served on the Altar Guild.  She enjoyed gardening, traveling with her husband and other family, was an avid reader, and loved solving cryptograms and putting together jigsaw puzzles. Her wit and sense of humor were a delight to friends and family.

Lois was the beloved wife of the late Thomas W. Johnston, Jr.; loving mother of Susan L. Johnston (Robert Stein), Elizabeth Ann Johnston, and the late Thomas E. Johnston, II and mother-in-law of Joanne Johnston; adoring grandmother of Shannon, Shaun, Michael, and Sarah and great-grandmother of Brianna, Justin, and Lemar; dear sister of Peggy Ann Friday, the late Isabelle McGrody, and the late Elizabeth “Betty” Dike.

Relatives & friends are invited to her Life Celebration 9:30-11:00 AM Wednesday, August 4, 2021 at Trinity Episcopal Church, 301 N. Chester Road, Swarthmore, PA 19081, and her Funeral Service 11:00 AM. Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, contributions to Feeding America, 161 North Clark Street, Suite 700, Chicago, IL 60601, www.feedingamerica.org , would be appreciated. (Please include ‘Helen S. Johnston’ as the tribute name with your donation.)

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Helen "Lois" Johnston, please visit our flower store.

Service Schedule

Past Services

Celebration of Life

Wednesday, August 4, 2021

Starts at 9:30 am

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Funeral Service

Wednesday, August 4, 2021

Starts at 11:00 am

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