Clarkston Residents remember a great community activist who served both Clarkston and God. Martha A. ‘Marty? Johnston, passed away Aug. 31 at age 72 after a battle with cancer.
She was preceded in death by her husband Rich Johnston.
Clarkston resident Tom Stone said he had a lot of experience working with Johnston when he was president of the North Oakland Land Conservancy.
‘She was very dependable, very generous with her time, energy and money,? said Stone. ‘That organization was just one of many that she showed that same spirit, which made her such a treasure and such a loss to the community.?
Martha Johnston was very active in the garden club and a devoted member to the Clarkston United Methodist Church where she sang in the choir.
‘She always had time for everyone and always put people ahead of herself, said Independence trustee Larry Rosso. ‘She was always there to help, whenever anyone needed help.?
Bruce Rogers was Clarkston Village clerk in the 70’s while Rich Johnston was village president. Rogers also taught at Clarkston Elementary for 15 years and had Johnston’s youngest two kids as students.
‘When I was a teacher, Marty was probably everyone’s favorite parent because she always was helpful for the room parties and volunteering in anything that somebody wanted done and she didn’t care if she got credit for anything,? he said. ‘She was just a great worker bee and would do whatever needed to be done, everyone loved her.?
Independence Trustee Dan Travis was close with the family and tennis partner / opponent with Rich for 25 years.
The church was full of friends and family at the funeral, and he was just touched by all the wonderful things said about Johnston and the way she lived her life, Travis said.
‘It’s a great loss, but it reminds us that this is what a great sense of community is, and she worked so very hard to preserve and protect and advance that in a very enormous Christian way on an everyday basis,? he said.
Travis said both Rich and Marty were dedicated in their tithing to the church.
‘They continued to tithe throughout their married life and that’s a commitment to that church and their Christian beliefs that is astounding to me,? he said.
Travis also said the Johnston’s have three wonderful children and grandchildren who are ‘treasures? and he is glad to see the impact that Rich and Marty played in their children and grandchildren’s lives.
‘I guess if you imprint or have children who mirror your giving and Christian beliefs, that’s what we’re here for, to sort of replace ourselves and they have done a commendable job.?
Travis recalled a story he had heard at the funeral about how Marty went to a wedding reception two weeks prior to her death and while at this party ‘despite her chemotherapy she was dancing up a storm.?
‘She lived every moment, everyday of her life,? said Travis. ‘They were an awesome family, they are an awesome family and generations will be well served by the way they lived their lives.?