Nancy Johnston 91, of 708 Second Avenue, entered into God’s mercy and justice on Thursday December 25, 2025, at UPMC-Hamot, Erie, following a brief illness.

She was born December 20, 1934, in Johnsonburg, daughter of the late John “Rufus” and Margaret Pendl Johnston. She graduated from Holy Rosary Elementary and Johnsonburg High School class of 1952. She was first employed by G.C. Murphy Co. Then in her senior year she was hired by the New York & Pennsylvania Co. She was a member of Holy Rosary Parish, Senior Choir and the Sodality of Our Lady. In 1967 she attended a Diocesan Cursillo Weekend in Erie which refocused her entire life.

While working with the Religious Ed Program in the late 1960’s, she was enticed to gather a group of students and provide a Folk Choir for a special Youth Liturgy. Due to the extraordinary talents of those students, and favorable response of the pastor and parishioners, the group then played for parish Masses and was invited to introduce Liturgical Folk Music to area parishes and ecumenically as well. Eventually a second group emerged under another director, and she returned to the Traditional Music ministry with the Senior Choir.

Looking for a deeper commitment in life, Nancy resigned from PennTech Papers after 17 1/2 years and chose the vocation of parish secretary at Holy Rosary Church in 1970. One of her first experiences that year was being one of two chaperone-drivers taking ECCHS students to the Brooklyn Encounter in NYC to help them establish that teenage movement in St. Marys for the Erie Diocese. Losing the lead car on the bridge entering NYC she was on her own. Having never been there before she, actually found her way to Brooklyn and Humboldt Street just in time for opening prayers. Many memorable events and challenges graced her 37 3/4 years during which time the Annual Parish Festival blossomed, and St. Anne and Holy Cross parishioners were added to Holy Rosary Parish. She retired in 2007 but retained certain weekly responsibilities.

Over the years she enjoyed various bus tours to shrines in Canada and to stage shows and performances in Toronto, New York City, Erie, Buffalo, Youngstown, and Lancaster, Pa. as well as visiting family in Dallas, Texas.

She is survived by two nieces, Laura Graves and Mary Christine Baumgratz and one nephew, John ( Kathy) Baumgratz, all of the Dallas, Texas area, and 8 great nieces and nephews: Alexandra & Forrest Graves, Katie (& Jordan) Lightfoot, Emily Williams, Raymond, Joseph, Angela Rose and Heather Anne Baumgratz, and 3 great-great nieces and a great-great nephew and also by numerous cousins and their families.                                                                                         

She was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, Harry “Buddy” and Louis, two sisters, Shirley and Louise, and her brother-in-law, Ivan Baumgratz, three unnamed siblings, and her enduring friend, Gabriel Benischek.

Friends and family are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial for Nancy Jean Johnston, to be conducted at Holy Rosary Church, Johnsonburg, on Saturday Morning, January 3, 2026, at 10:30 AM, with Fr. David Wilson, Pastor, as celebrant. Interment will be in St. Marys Catholic Cemetery.

Friends will be received at the Anthony F. Ferragine Funeral Home and Cremation Services Chapel, 401 Chestnut Street, Johnsonburg Saturday Morning from 9 to 10 AM.

If desired, memorial contributions in Nancy’s name should be made to Holy Rosary Church, 606 Penn Street, Johnsonburg, PA 15845.

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