Lillian Johnstone, 88, died peacefully Sunday at Life Care Center of Plymouth after a period of failing health. She was the daughter of Danish immigrants, Hans Christian Andreas Boiesen and Ellen Marie (Kejser) Boiesen Kenny. Born in Estherville, IA, she grew up in Indiana and Pennsylvania. She graduated from West Chester State Teacher’s College (PA) in 1942 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education and married Harry P. Johnstone in 1944. She and her young family moved to Abington in 1946 and she began teaching in the Secondary Schools there in 1957. She was a Sweet Adeline, a great minstrel show lover and enjoyed her “Stitch and Chatter” friends. She was a well-loved math teacher, best known for her math jingles and for her antics at football rallies. She retired in 1985 and eloped that summer with her second husband, William Zemina. She and Bill spent 10 years traveling the world.
Lillian was active in the Abington Child Study Group, the Plymouth County Chapter of REAM and the Plymouth United Methodist Church. She volunteered for 34 years at South Shore Hospital and two years at Jordan Hospital. She was a Literacy Volunteer through the Plymouth Public Library and volunteered weekly at the Library, mending books. She was known for her ready smile, her snow-white, perfectly coiffed hair and her striking wardrobe. She loved scrapbooking, puzzles and games. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren will remember her for her cash rewards for good report cards, afternoons of Phase 10 and her pride in all of their accomplishments.
Lillian is survived by three daughters, Deedee Gaudette of Carver, Carol Homeyer of Crescent City, FL and Linda Stewart of Oak Island, NC; Six grandchildren, Leslie Cornish of Jacksonville, FL, Susan Carle of Franklin, Kerin Scott of St. Augustine, FL, Pamela Ten Eyck of Mansfield, John Winiewicz of Jacksonville, FL, and David Gaudette of San Diego, CA, and nine great-grandchildren. She is also survived by dear friends, Eileen McCaffrey of Carver and Kate McCaffrey of Geneva, NY.
Funeral will take place at the United Methodist Church on Thursday October 30th, at 10:00 am, Carver Road in Plymouth. Family and friends are welcome from 4-7 PM on Wednesday at Richard Davis Funeral Home, 373 Court Street, Plymouth. Cremation will follow with private interment services in Pennsylvania in the spring. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the United Methodist Church of Plymouth, 29 Carver Road, Plymouth, MA 02360 or The American Heart Association. On-line condolences may be made at richarddavisfuneralhome.com