1928
Mary
2015
Mary Jean Johnston
March 28, 1928 — December 27, 2015
Mary Jean Johnston, PhD, 87, died peacefully December 27th at Rockynol Retirement Community.
Born in Pittsburgh, PA, she graduated from Carnegie Institute of Technology (now Carnegie Mellon University) and shortly thereafter joined the U.S. State Department. In the early 1950's while much of Europe and Japan were still recovering from the destruction of World War II, Jean was stationed in Karachi, Pakistan; Frankfurt, Germany; and Tokyo, Japan.
After resigning her commission in 1957, Jean began teaching business communications in high school in Western PA and Germany. Upon receiving her PhD from the University of Pittsburgh, she entered the college teaching ranks and joined the University of Akron in 1965, where she taught until retiring in 1989. She was honored by the University Alumni Association as Outstanding Teacher of the Year in 1982 and was conferred as Professor Emeritus in 1989. In 1978 Jean won the Outstanding Article of the Year Award for her article, "Don't Leave Your Language Alone" in the Business Education Forum. In total, she published 27 articles in professional journals.
Jean was well-known for her love of travel and wonderful photos she took of her many trips. While in the State Department, she traveled extensively throughout Europe and Asia; including visiting Kabul, Afghanistan; Kashmir and Bombay, India in the 50's. To celebrate her 80th birthday, she embarked on a transatlantic crossing to England on the Queen Mary, followed by a visit in London and a month in Paris, returning home flying first class.
Never married, fiercely independent, Jean is survived by her brother Jim and his wife Judith; two adoring nieces; and a grandniece and grandnephew. All of whom greatly miss her.
A private memorial is planned for the spring. (Billow FAIRLAWN Chapel)
Born in Pittsburgh, PA, she graduated from Carnegie Institute of Technology (now Carnegie Mellon University) and shortly thereafter joined the U.S. State Department. In the early 1950's while much of Europe and Japan were still recovering from the destruction of World War II, Jean was stationed in Karachi, Pakistan; Frankfurt, Germany; and Tokyo, Japan.
After resigning her commission in 1957, Jean began teaching business communications in high school in Western PA and Germany. Upon receiving her PhD from the University of Pittsburgh, she entered the college teaching ranks and joined the University of Akron in 1965, where she taught until retiring in 1989. She was honored by the University Alumni Association as Outstanding Teacher of the Year in 1982 and was conferred as Professor Emeritus in 1989. In 1978 Jean won the Outstanding Article of the Year Award for her article, "Don't Leave Your Language Alone" in the Business Education Forum. In total, she published 27 articles in professional journals.
Jean was well-known for her love of travel and wonderful photos she took of her many trips. While in the State Department, she traveled extensively throughout Europe and Asia; including visiting Kabul, Afghanistan; Kashmir and Bombay, India in the 50's. To celebrate her 80th birthday, she embarked on a transatlantic crossing to England on the Queen Mary, followed by a visit in London and a month in Paris, returning home flying first class.
Never married, fiercely independent, Jean is survived by her brother Jim and his wife Judith; two adoring nieces; and a grandniece and grandnephew. All of whom greatly miss her.
A private memorial is planned for the spring. (Billow FAIRLAWN Chapel)
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