Obituary of Alvina M. Johnston

Alvina M. Johnston, nee “Sis” McDermott, 95, of Shrewsbury, passed away peacefully at her home in Shrewsbury on Friday, October 5. Mrs. Johnston was born in Hasbrouck Heights. She resided in the Belford section of Middletown Township and Interlaken prior to settling in Shrewsbury in 1951. She retired as a social worker from the Wall Township Public Schools in 1988. Mrs. Johnston was a member and valedictorian of the class of 1940 at Red Bank Catholic High School. She earned her B.A. degree from Mercyhurst College (now university), Erie, PA in 1945 and her M.S. in 1965 from the Fordham University School of Education, NYC. An avid reader since childhood, she maintained a constant interest in literature, Scripture and Theology, the Social Sciences and especially local, national and global Social Justice Issues. During her lifetime, she volunteered with the former Shore and Northern Monmouth County Girl Scouts as a troop leader, trainer of leaders and Board member. She was a founding member of the For I Shall Help (FISH) program in Red Bank. She was a pledge partner and organizer for Bread for the World, Washington, DC. As a 40 year member of St. James Catholic Church in Red Bank she served on the original Parish Council as secretary and a member of the social concerns committee. She also served as a program leader for the parish religious education program for public high school students. She was also associated with the Holy Name Library at the Church of the Nativity, Fair Haven. Parallel to volunteer activities she actively participated in The Bridge Club, a friendship group of more than 40 years. Mrs. Johnston was predeceased by her husband, Charles A Johnston, her parents, John J.A. and Alvina (Entrup) McDermott, three sisters; Ruth McDermott, Bernice A. McDermott, Mary Rita (McDermott) Gallagher; and two brothers John J. and Francis X. McDermott. Surviving is her son, Christopher A. Johnston, Germantown, MD; her daughter Mary Johnston Turner and husband George Turner, Stoneham, MA, and daughter Janet M. Johnston and husband Mark Malagodi, Anchorage, AK. Also surviving are 4 brothers and three sisters-in-law; Robert F. McDermott, the Rt. Rev. Abbot Benedict R. McDermott, OSB, Joseph A. and Anne McDermott, Donald G. and Mary Jane McDermott, Grace T. McDermott; 3 sisters and one brother-in-law, Lois J. and Harry E. Persson, Sister Kathryn E. McDermott, SC and Sister Ann E. McDermott, OSF, and six grandchildren; Margaret, Charles, Michael, Kathryn, Christopher and Carl. Mrs. Johnston was a communicant of the Church of the Nativity in Fair Haven. A memorial Mass will be offered at 10:30 A.M. on Wednesday, October 10, 2018. The family will receive visitors at the church one hour prior to the Mass. Immediately following the Liturgy, her cremated remains will be interred at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Middletown Township. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Bread for the World, 425 3rd Street SW, Suite 1200 Washington, DC 20024; Birthright 294 Broad Street #1, Red Bank, NJ, 07701; The Nature Conservancy, NJ Chapter office, 200 Pottersville Rd., Chester, NJ, 07930; or a charity of choice. Arrangements are under the direction of the Higgins Memorial Home, Freehold.