Obituary of Marie E. Johns

Born on Dec. 6, 1928 in Reno, NV to Julia Souza Johns and Joseph Thomas Johns, Sr., Marie Elizabeth Johns was quickly renamed "Mary Lou" by her two older brothers, Tom and Bill. The family moved to Modesto, CA near extended family. When she was two years old, Mary Lou's mother passed away, so a kind aunt and uncle raised her as their own daughter. She attended schools in Modesto through her freshman year of high school. She transferred to, and graduated from, Dominican Convent in San Rafael. Mary Lou returned to Modesto to attend Modesto Jr. College, earning her A.B. degree. She graduated with her B.A. from San Jose State College, and earned her M.A. Ed from Goddard College, along with a CA Life Teaching Credential. She taught elementary school in Modesto from 1950-1960, and moved to Salinas to teach at Bardin School. Relocating to the Monterey Peninsula, she taught for 28 years at Del Rey Woods School, retiring in 1989. During those years, Mary Lou lived in Carmel, Pebble Beach, Pacific Grove, Seaside, and Forest Hill Manor in Pacific Grove. She worshipped at St. Stanislaus, Carmel Mission, St. Angela's, St. Francis Xavier, and also the Forest Hill Manor Chapel. She made many friends in all the places she called home. The children she taught and the school staff members at the schools where she worked became extended family to Mary Lou. Fun-loving and generous, she was fond of giving treats and participating in group outings. She encouraged others, and found encouragement for herself in her faith. Mary Lou died peacefully on February 24, 2015. Mary Lou was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers, Joseph Thomas Johns, Jr. and William A. Johns, and her nephew, John Johns. Survivors include nieces Sandra Kuykendall, and Julie Kelly, and nephews William and James Johns. Several great nieces and nephews also survive. The funeral service will be Tues. March 10th at St. Angela's Church in Pacific Grove, at 10:00 a.m., followed by a reception at Forest Hill Manor. The burial service will be the next day, Wed. March 11, at St. Stanislaus Cemetery in Modesto, CA. at 1:00 p.m. Memorials may be made in her memory to the Hospice Giving Foundation.