Anne Beatrice Johnston, 93

Anne Johnston was born in Pickford, Mich., on May 31, 1921, to William Otis and Mabel (Wynn) Johnston. They moved to Newport, Wash. in 1924, and to Rathdrum, Idaho in 1933. Anne graduated from Rathdrum High School in 1939 and was the class valedictorian.

Determined to further her education, Anne worked at various jobs, saved her money and in 1947 graduated from the University of Idaho with a Bachelor of Science degree in Foods and Nutrition.

In 1948, Anne completed a 12-month dietetic internship at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor and became a registered dietitian. She held professional dietary positions at the Woodlawn Hospital in Chicago, Ill. and was a therapeutic/teaching dietitian at the Evanston General Hospital in Evanston, Ill.

Returning to the Northwest in the early 1950s, Anne became the Senior Therapeutic Dietitian at Pierce County Hospital in Tacoma, Wash., followed by a stint at Deaconess Hospital in Spokane as Head Dietitian.

In 1963 Anne accepted the position of Dietary Director and Chief Dietitian at Providence Hospital in Anchorage, Alaska. She drove the Alcan Highway alone and remained in Alaska until 1970.

Upon her return to the mainland and after a much-needed vacation, Anne was employed at Kadlec Medical Center in Richland, Wash. where she was Director of Dietary until her retirement in 1981.

Anne liked to travel and toured much of the United States, parts of Canada, Cuba, Mexico and 14 European countries. The Holy Land was the most meaningful and memorable for her. She brought back vials of sacred soil and holy water from the Jordan River.

Anne passed away Jan. 24, 2015, at Sylvan House Assisted Living in Hayden, Idaho, surrounded by loved ones. She was preceded in death by two brothers, Harry and Jim Johnston. She is survived by one sister, Flossie Hegge, of Coeur d'Alene; nieces Judy Schultz of Post Falls, Rhonda Schultz of Coeur d'Alene, Penny Dille of Mead, Colo., Vicki Bernier and Nancy Meeks of Post Falls, Cheryl Taylor of Coeur d'Alene, Sheila Moen and Heidi Walters of Spokane; nephews include Aaron Johnston of Port Orchard, Wash., Dennis Johnston of Sterling, Alaska, Bill Johnston and James Johnston of Spokane Valley; and numerous great nieces and nephews.

The family wishes to thank Sylvan House employees, Hospice of North Idaho and Father Roger LaChance for their caring service.

Donations can be made in Anne's memory to St. Pius X Church in Coeur d'Alene, Hospice of North Idaho, or to an organization of your choice.

A private family memorial will be held at Pinegrove Cemetery in Rathdrum, Idaho, at a later date.