Annette Louise Johnston

On January 23, 2012, we lost a beloved member of our family and community.

Annette was born to Bill and Lydia Neidinger on December 18, 1941, in Venice Beach, California. Annette and brother Roger, together with their parents, relocated to the Greater Seattle area in 1945 when their father accepted a job at Boeing in Renton, Washington.

Boeing was also where Annette met her future husband, Bill Johnston, whom she married April 7, 1962. The couple lived in the Bellevue, Washington, area for many years, where they raised their two daughters, Julie and Jennifer.

Annette began working for Safeway as a floral designer when her daughters reached school age and retired from the company in 1997, moving to Sequim shortly thereafter.

Annette was an active member of the New Dungeness Lighthouse Society for many years. Additionally, Bill and Annette were members of Eastern Hills Community Church.

Annette was passionate about gardening, animals and especially people. She was an expert at making friends, and everyone who met her fell in love with her huge smile. Annette was generous with her time and energy. She gave her warm hugs freely to anyone with whom she came in contact. Annette was beloved by many.

Annette fought a long and protracted battle with Waldenstrom's hyperglobulinemia (cancer of the white blood cells) and was known as the "Comeback Kid" on more than one occasion. Her will to live was powerful as she demonstrated fierce determination and tenacity. She often said, "I'm too busy to die right now." Always graceful in her interactions with others, she was strong, patient, optimistic and resilient.

Annette is survived by her husband, William Bill Johnston; her daughters, Jennifer Johnston and Julie Johnston Martinez and her children, Marilisa and William; her brother, Roger Neidinger, and wife Nancy; brother-in-law Robert Johnston and his wife, Dianne, all of Sequim; many cousins in the Midwest; and a host of bereft friends.

Heartfelt gratitude to Donna Huswick, who spent the last three weeks of Annette's life caring for her. We shall miss her and hold her always in our hearts.

Memory eternal, dear one!

Cremation by Linde-Price Funeral Service.

A celebration-of-life service will be held at Eastern Hills Community Church, 91 Savannah Lane, Sequim, on Saturday, February 25, 2012, at noon, with a reception to follow.

Memorial contributions may be sent to J.L. Johnston, 1712 East Riverside Drive, No. 192, Austin, TX 78741.