pHELENA – Mrs. Ruth Augusta (Butler) Johnstone, 87, passed away Saturday afternoon, May 7, 2016 at the Massena Memorial Hospital. She had been a resident of the St. Regis Nursing Home since September 2013./ppRuth was born May 17, 1928 in Montreal, Quebec, the daughter of the late Charles and Lura (Fletcher) Butler. She attended schools in both Melbourne, Florida and Massena, where she graduated. She later achieved her Bachelors Degree from Russell Sage College. On April 4, 1953, she married Walter W. Johnstone at the Helena Presbyterian Church. Walter predeceased her on September 16, 1996. /ppRuth worked for a short time as a business teacher at St. Lawrence Central School. She devoted most of her life to her family and raising her three sons. Ruth had a lifelong passion for music. She was an extremely talented and gifted musician, especially the organ playing for many years at her church, Grace United Methodist Church. She was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, formerly Cretona Chapter #516 and a member of the Town of Brasher Historical Society. Ruth was also active with the Massena College Club for many years./ppRuth is survived by her sons, Charles and Linda Johnstone of Livonia, New York and John and Kathleen Johnstone of Lawrenceburg, Tennessee; her grandchildren, Daniel, Brian, Megan, Jack, and Mary; and her great grandchildren, Viktor and Adrian./ppIn addition to her parents and husband, Ruth was predeceased by a son, Clark W. Johnstone on September 7, 2013. /ppFriends may call at the Donaldson Funeral Home, Massena, Wednesday 2-4 and 7-9 PM. The members of the Eastern Star will meet for a memorial ritual at 8:00 PM. Funeral services will be held Thursday 11:00 AM at the Grace United Methodist Church with Rev. Heather Steirhiem, officiating. A private burial will be in Carville Cemetery, Helena./ppMemorial contributions may be made in her memory to the Grace United Methodist Church Memorial Fund./ppMemories and condolences may be shared online at www.donaldsonfh.com./p
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