Doris Mary (Allen) Johnston, 100, was born in Ballina, New South Wales, Australia, to Harold Owenby and Elsie Mary Crockett Allen on September 12, 1923. She grew up in the nearby village of Wardell. At 16, she moved to Sydney to work at J Kitchen Manufacturing, where she met some of her best Australian friends, who eventually became friends of our families in the States. After marrying Charles C. Johnston, who was a World War II gunner and later a Hutchinson police officer, on September 1, 1944, in Annadale, NSW, she migrated to Kansas as a war bride. “Mum” recently celebrated her 100th birthday with relatives visiting her home of nearly 80 years, where she lived on her own until her death on January 27, 2024.
Doris was perpetually optimistic, an avid conversationalist who talked to everyone (unless they were a “bloody bugger”) and helped those in need. She was an expert in active listening, able to remember small details and refusing to repeat herself like “old people” do. She was fiercely independent, even driving (too fast) until she was 98. An avid writer to family and friends, she also enjoyed visiting friends in their homes, traveling, walking fast, cooking, gardening, embroidering, volunteering, visiting friends and family, and wearing hats and pins. She loved music and singing but could not carry a tune. She could be heard squawking away at Hadley United Methodist and then First United Methodist Church most Sundays.
While making a home for her children, she led the Winans Grade and Sherman Junior High Schools’ PTA organizations. When her children were old enough, she returned to work at JCPenney’s, then Golden Rule Press, and, finally, as a Certified Dental Technician (CDT) for Doctors Paul & Phil Hofer and Gene Wells in the H&W Lab. After retiring, she became an invaluable RSVP member of Reno County, volunteering for Hutchinson Public Schools, Reno County Courts, the Health Department, KHCC Radio, United Way, and other non-profits. RSVP honored her 40 years of service with an award in 2019.
Four children survive her. Immediate family members include Doris Stultz (Colorado Springs, CO), Pat (Bob) Langston (Olathe, KS, formerly of Wamego), Carol (Roger) Conlon, Randy (Pam) Johnston; 11 grandchildren: Stultz Family – Mira, Robert, Elizabeth, Samantha; Langston Family – Becca, Chris, Melissa; Johnston Family – Sarah, Mary, Charles, David; 19 great-grandchildren; and 1 great-great grandchild. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Charles, her sister Marie (Tom) Scroope, and her son-in-law, Roger Conlon. She had many relatives left in Australia: The Tom Scroope nieces and nephews, including Janice (John) Gallagher, Allan (Elizabeth), Faye (Ian) Pandelis, Jim, John, Jill Tabib, Helen (deceased), and Phillip, plus their children. Other relatives in the US include sister-in-law Jewell (Janzen, Jess-deceased) Cook, brother-in-law Benny Janzen, and other Travis Doby Johnston/Benjamin Alva Janzen and Eula Ethel West Johnston Janzen (all deceased) relatives. The Travis D. Johnston family includes deceased brothers-in-law LeRoy (Minnie Cogzill), Travis (JoAnn Moore), and sister-in-law Inez (Jim) Cotter families whose children live in various parts of the United States.
The funeral will be at 10:30 AM on Saturday, February 3, 2024, at Elliott Mortuary. A private burial service will follow at Fairlawn Cemetery, where Doris never missed decorating family graves. Friends may call from 9 AM to 8 PM on Friday, February 2, 2024, with the immediate family present from 6-8 PM at Elliott Mortuary. Since Doris was allergic to most flowers, even though she loved growing and looking at them, she requested that memorials be given to RSVP/The Volunteer Center, housed within HCC or United Way of Reno County, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.