Mary Furr Johnston, 89, of Phoenix, Arizona, passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, April 2, 2006. Mary Catharine Hathcock was born in Poplar, Idaho on March 30, 1917 to Green Paul Furr and Catherine Hathcock Furr. She married her high school sweetheart, Orvel McSwain Johnston on May 2, 1941 in the Mesa Temple. Mary was raised in Mesa and attended Mesa High School. She was active in community service with Good Samaritan Hospital, Doctor's Hospital and Family Arts. Mary was a woman of many talents. She loved to sew and needle point for others and created many beautiful works of art. Mary was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served as a missionary in the Northern States Mission as well as many other teaching positions. Her children, grand children, and great-grandchildren brought her much joy. She was an inspiration to them all through her generosity and love for life. Mary is survived by her children Jay Johnston (Careen), Duane Johnston (Pamela), Jana Parker Lee (John), Reed Johnston (Shirley), 19 grandchildren, and 13 great-grandchildren. Friends may call from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Friday at Hansen Chapel, 8314 North 7th Street, Phoenix, AZ 85020. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, at the Bethany Home Ward, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 8710 North 3rd Avenue, Phoenix, AZ, 85021. Interment and graveside services will follow at Green Acres Cemetery, 401 North Hayden Road, Scottsdale, 85257. Arrangements by Hansen Mortuary. Donations may be made in lieu of flowers, to the Perpetual Education Fund of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 50 E. North Temple St. Rm. 832, Salt Lake City, Utah 84150-1501, in Memory of Mary Furr Johnston.
Published in The Arizona Republic from 4/5/2006 - 4/7/2006.