Florence Marie Johnston

Florence Marie Johnston, age 86, passed away peacefully on March 30, 2025, with family at her side. Florence was born in Cheboygan, Michigan on July 28, 1938. While she would travel the world starting as a young adult and throughout her senior years, and lived most of her life in Ann Arbor, Florence always returned to her hometown and her much-cherished Mullett Lake to keep close ties to her roots and her greater family. Following her big sister’s lead to the School of Nursing at the University of Michigan, Florence became an RN and then a trailblazer herself. She was one of a handful of women selected for a pilot class of study at UM: the Medical-Surgical Nursing Master’s program. This novel training would establish Florence as a notable driver in the development of advanced practice nursing, such as the clinical nurse specialist. After spending a year as a senior staff nurse at Guy’s Hospital in London in the mid 1960’s, her lifelong passion for traveling and working overseas was firmly planted, along with a dedication to use her skills where they were most needed. The 1970’s found Florence living in Latin America as a principal consultant to the Pan American Health Organization (now the WHO), working to establish standards of hospital patient care, especially critical care, across a dozen countries. Upon her return to Michigan, she served as an instructor and staffer with the School of Nursing and UM Hospitals for a decade. In 1989 Florence began a new career chapter, first as an Administrator and eventually President and CEO of the Michigan Eye-Bank/Eversight, retiring in the late 2000’s but serving on the Board of Directors for another decade. Along the way Florence made plenty of time to pursue her other passions, especially travel—sampling history, cuisine, culture, and downhill slopes, seeing most of Latin America and Europe, with a final trip to Australia a few years ago. She was a voracious reader, a collector of interesting art and artifacts, an excellent and imaginative cook, and a most generous and gracious family member, friend, and colleague. Florence consumed Ann Arbor’s offerings at every opportunity: she could always be found enjoying a Hill Auditorium concert or lecture, exploring a UM Museum exhibit, window shopping in Nickel’s Arcade, investigating a new pastry shop, or donating time and resources to community works. After retirement Florence continued to learn and serve. She audited University classes in Latin and the ancient world, leading her to become a docent at UM’s Kelsey Museum of Archaeology, a final “career” that she relished for years. Florence is survived and sorely missed by nieces and nephews William Barr Jr., Deborah (Barr) Cygnar, Jerry Johnston, Priscilla (Barr) Foran, and Jay Johnston; sister-in-law Wanda Faye (Cadieux) Johnston; and a multitude of grand nephews and nieces. Florence was preceded in death by her parents Arthur and Ethel (Betts) Johnston, sister Marilyn (Johnston) Barr, brother Arthur James (Jim) Johnston, brother-in-law William Barr, niece Rebecca Barr, and nephews James Johnston and David Barr. Florence’s family is grateful to the staff at Brecon Village senior living community and Arbor Hospice for their professional, respectful, and caring manner. Florence requested no services; a private interment will take place. Florence would have been happiest if those who loved her enjoy a favorite book, piece of music, glass of wine, or sweet treat to remember her by. For those desiring to do so, contributions in Florence’s memory may be made to support the Cheboygan River Front Range Light, specify at www.gllka.org/donate; or the Cheboygan Opera House at https://theoperahouse.org/donate/

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Florence Marie Johnston

July 28, 1938 - March 30, 2025