JOHNSTONE, Ian Haviland Ph.D. Age 89, passed away on February 20, 2023. Born on January 9, 1934, he was the youngest of five children to Charles and Robina (Haviland) Johnstone of Chatham, New Brunswick (NB). There he developed his love of music and ice hockey. He studied music with his mother, the church organist in Douglestown, NB. He entered Mount Allison University in Sackville, NB, at the age of 16, where he studied organ performance and earned a Bachelor of Music Degree. After graduation he moved to Toronto where he furthered his musical studies at the Royal Conservatory of Music. In 1955, Ian married Evelyn Hope Adamson of Stellarton, Nova Scotia and they moved to Redlands, CA, where he completed a Master's Degree in music. Ian also taught elementary school and general music in the public schools, organ and music theory at the San Bernardino Valley College, and was the Organist at Trinity Episcopal Church for six years. During summer vacations, Ian began taking courses at the University of Oregon in Eugene and completed his Doctor of Musical Arts Degree in 1972. In 1972, Dr. Johnstone accepted a tenure track teaching position at Bridgewater State College (BSU). During his time at BSU, he was the Chair of the Music Department and a vibrant part of the BSU community. Ian served as the organist and Evelyn the choir director at Central Square Congregational Church in Bridgewater, MA, for 12 years. Evelyn passed from cancer in 1983. Ian married Dr. Ruth McLain, a Medical Oncologist, in 1984. Ruth is the founder of Old Colony Hospice (OCH) and its Medical Director since 1978. They loved world-wide travel, museums, theatre, Boston Symphony concerts, and attending New York Metropolitan Operas. They also enjoyed watching ice hockey and baseball games. Since 2002, Ian was a Master Mason with the Blue Hill Lodge in Stoughton and he was also affiliated with the Phoenix Lodge in Hanover, MA. The brotherhood that he shared with his fellow Freemasons was very important to him, and played an integral role in his life. Ian is survived by his wife, Dr. Ruth McLain Johnstone; his daughter, Heather (Johnstone) Madnick, her husband, Howard Madnick; and their two sons, Benjamin and Harrison Madnick. He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Lavonne (Adamson) Thompson of Antigonish, Nova Scotia, as well as his many beloved nieces and nephews. A Celebration of Life will be held at First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church, 1508 Washington Street, Canton, MA, on Saturday, March 4, 2023, at 11:00 am, reception to follow. Internment private. In lieu of flowers, please feel free to donate to the Masonic Blue Hill Lodge by contacting [email protected] or Old Colony Hospice https://www.oldcolonyhospice.org/donation-overview

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Published by Boston Globe from Feb. 23 to Feb. 26, 2023.

Memories and Condolences
for Ian Johnstone

12 Entries

Theresa Wright Ellis

October 3, 2023

Dr. Johnstone always lit up the room and brought fun and joy to everyone in it! I grew up at Cental Square Congregational Church in Bridgewater. My sisters and I all sang in the choir. Our families met right when they moved to Bridgewater as neighbors. Heather and I became friends quickly. I´ll always remember Dr. Johnstone getting us all excited and riled at choir practice with his "saloon" music. He was always the funny man and Mrs. Johnstone was the straight man. They worked beautifully together. Mrs. Johnstone was my piano teacher for 5 years growing up. After lessons, sometimes Heather and I would go play in her room. Dr. Johnstone would usually come home from work during my lesson. He´d always have such a bright, breezy of entering the house. His love of life and family are what always stick with me. Thank you Dr. Johnstone for showing us all how to embrace life!

ANTHONY J PERRY

March 21, 2023

NOT knowing Ian very well i did have the pleasure of speaking with him several times over the years while i was performing my duties as an employee of the facilities department ,usually just hello how are you He always had a smile and a kind word ,and was always uplifting and so friendly he was so sincere I felt like i really knew him and i will remember him always. May he rest in Peace , This is a great loss to all of the people who have been a part of the BSU community and to everyone who knew him,

Doug & June MacEachern

March 3, 2023

Ian and I date back to Mount Allison days. Friends these many years we give thanks for the gifts of memory and hope. "In life, in death, in life beyond death God is with us." In that truth we express our deepest sympathy to Ruth and family.

Doug "Stretch" and June MacEachern

carol Daiker HOWE

March 2, 2023

i FEEL so fortunate to have the oppor tunity of knowing Ian and Evelyn at church and wth our horses .you were a person filled with happiness and kindness for all who knew you. My prayers and sympathy to you Ruth, Heather and families. may you bring music to all the angels as you have for all of us. carol Daiker Howe.

Ellen C Eberly

February 25, 2023

My sons and I always will remember Ian as a most gracious neighbor who added poise, class, and humor to our close neighborhood circle. We were blessed to have Ian in our lives; Ruth continues both Ian's and her legacies as awesome role models for us all!
Our deepest sympathies -- Ellen Eberly, and sons Danny and Doug and their families.

Karen Lee

February 25, 2023

I did not know Ian, but Heather spoke so often and so fondly of him that I almost feel like I did. My condolences to his family and friends.

Kathy Heath Trammell

February 24, 2023

Dr. Johnstone was such a wonderful, caring man. I am so sorry for your loss. But, I am blessed to have known him. Sending you all my love.

Stuart and Mariann

Sent Flowers

Dr. Stuart Madnick and Dr. Mariann Casarella

February 24, 2023

To our dearest friend, Ian,

It is so difficult to put into words what you meant to us and to so many others. You brightened our lives for many years as you were an integral part of our family. You were there when our children were married, serving as the exemplar of how marriage should proceed with love, kindness, caring and hard work. You often said that you could not have been more blessed than to have Howard as your son (in-law). Your love for him was affirmed in every one of your kind and caring gestures.
You held our grandchildren when they were born; you cherished them for your whole life; and always showered them with love and joy. You provided the inspiration for their love of music along with their mother, Heather. It is no wonder that our grandsons love music and loved being with you. You were instrumental in bringing our grandsons to Boston and closer to all of us here. Your loving home with Ruth was the safe haven for them during all of the challenges of university demands and expectations. They could not have had a better and more understanding sounding board than you and your loving wife, Ruth.
We appreciate so much your gracious and loving welcome of Mariann into our close knit family circle.
We will miss you so much: your wonderful sense of humor; your interest in every activity in which all of us are involved; your demonstration of your everlasting love for Ruth, your children, your grandsons, us, and all of your friends, especially Joyce. We will remember always how your eyes danced with joy and love for us.
We wish you an eternity of everlasting peace, one to which we know you deserve. May you always rest in peace with God, as you lived your life in His image and sanctity.
With much love and respect for you,
Stuart and Mariann

Bette de Koning

February 24, 2023

I had the pleasure of knowing Ian (and Evelyn) both as a member of the CSCC church choir and as church secretary. Ian was always a bright note (pun intended), bringing joy and laughter wherever he went. I remember his "pipe dreams" as he always hoped that the church would purchase a pipe organ. He was a wonderful human being, funny and compassionate. Ruth and Heather and family, I extend my sincerest condolences to you all. Bette de Koning

KATHLEEN DIAMOND

February 23, 2023

Every interaction with Ian was left me feeling better for having spent time with him. Such a lovely person! He will surely be always loved and always missed.

Lynne Curnyn

February 23, 2023

Ian Johnstone´s Music Appreciation class in 1976 at BSC was my first introduction to college learning. His joyful exuberance at 8 am literally woke us up inspired us all, not just as freshmen, but as learners and lovers of music! To this day, he will always be one of the major reasons why I am a lover and performer of music, and to become a teacher myself. He played beautifully at our wedding and always attended performances of Jubilate Chorale when he could.
His inspiration will live on in my heart and whenever I think of him, I´ll remember him saying (when you told him it´s good to see you, his retort was "It´s good to be seen!" Yes Ian, you were good to be seen!!! Love and prayers to Heather, Ruth, family and friends.

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