Mary Malstrom Johnston's Obituary
Mary Johnston passed away peacefully on March 10 at Lakeshore Assisted Living Homes.
She was born Mary Laczynski in Grand Haven on July 25, 1918. Mary attended Grand Haven public schools and graduated in 1935 from Grand Haven High School. After graduation, she held various local jobs, including positions at Eagle Ottawa, Grand Haven Stamp Products and the restaurant now known as Rosebud. In 1938 she met Walter Malstrom during a bingo game at the Elks Club. They were married on July 4, 1941. A few months later, World War II broke out and Walt joined the Coast Guard. Initially Walt was stationed at Cape Cod, Massachusetts and Mary moved there to live with him until he shipped out to the Phillipines. Nine months later a son (Rick) was born in Grand Haven. It was a tumultuous time for Mary, as she was also caring for her in laws, one of whom was dying. After the war ended, Walt and Mary bought a home on Howard Street and a few years later moved to Spring Lake where they raised two sons (Rick and Dan). In 1958 (at age 40) Mary began her college education to become an elementary school teacher. Walt changed jobs in 1961 and the family moved to La Porte, Indiana, about 120 miles south of Grand Haven. Mary continued her education and earned a bachelor’s degree from Valparaiso University and a master’s degree from the University of Notre Dame, one of the first women in Notre Dame’s graduate programs. She taught third and fourth grades for 20 years. By 1984, both Walt and Mary had retired and decided to move to Ames, Iowa to spend more time with Rick’s family, which now included two grandchildren. In 1985, Walt was diagnosed with his final illness and a decision was made to move back to Grand Haven. They bought a home at 520 Orchard, where Mary would live for over 25 years. Walt died in 1988. Mary was a very active widow, caring for aging family members and doing a variety of volunteer work, including tutoring and Church of the Dunes activities. She was a prolific craftswoman and produced hundreds of macramé and other figures, most of which were given away. Mary loved travelling and visited Africa, China, the Middle East and Korea. She also managed perhaps 25 trips each to visit her sons and family in Arkansas and California. In 1995 she went to her 60th high school reunion. Her table mates included one Marshall Johnston. Rick died suddenly in 2000. In one of her finest performances as a parent, Mary never lost her composure and showed her family how to keep on. In 2003 Marshall (by then single) telephoned Mary out of the blue. They had a whirlwind courtship and were married in Duncan’s Woods on April 15, 2004, each being near age 85. Almost seven years of happiness followed. Marshall passed away in January of 2011. Mary relocated to an assisted living, first to the Christian Haven Home and eventually to Lakeshore Assisted Living Homes. She received wonderful care at both facilities. Her pleasant disposition and even temperament made her a popular resident. Despite advanced Alzheimer’s disease, she managed to maintain her dignity until the last day. At age 96 she was quite likely the longest lived person in her bloodline. Her smile never dimmed during her lifetime. No one in her family ever saw her cry. A memorial service will be held later in the spring. IN LIEU OF FLOWERS, the family prefers donations as follows:
Donor’s Last Name A-L
Lakeshore Assisted Living Homes
16331 Robbins Road
Grand Haven, MI 49417
Donor’s Last Name M-Z
Christian Haven Home
704 Pennoyer Street
Grand Haven, MI 49417
Please sign the family’s online guestbook at www.vbkfuneralhome.com.
The family is being served by VanZantwick Bartels Kammeraad Funeral Home of Grand Haven.
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