Helen Johnston Obituary

Helen S. Johnston, beloved wife, mother, grandmother "Babu", violinist, educator, philanthropist and friend, passed peacefully at home in Monterey, CA with her family at her side on her 94th birthday July 3, 2025.
Born in 1931 to her immigrant Polish parents, Aniela and Stanley Slawek, in Sacramento, CA, she was raised on a small farm in the California Delta. Her first home was on Prospect Island where her father would row her in a boat across the river to meet the school bus. Later her family moved to a parcel of land in Rio Vista, California where Helen attended middle school and Rio Vista High School (1949). Her father was a well-driller and farmer. Helen was involved in Rio Vista life as a competitor for the Rio Vista Bass Derby Queen and was given the keys to the City of Rio Vista. She proudly attended Rio Vista High School Reunions with her classmates in her later years at The Point Restaurant.
Helen studied violin in her youth and became proficient. Her father would drive her to weekly lessons in Sacramento. She played solo and special events in high school and then became principal violin in the Sacramento City College orchestra, All-state Community College Orchestra and the Sacramento Symphony. It was in the Sacramento Symphony that she met the principal clarinetist, Darrell Johnston, soon to be her beloved husband. Helen and Darrell married in August 1952 and moved to Rochester, New York where Darrell completed his master's degree at the prestigious Eastman School of Music and Helen continued her violin studies. After Darrell's graduation he was enlisted in the Army and stationed in Joplin, MO where Helen taught elementary education and soloed as a violinist with the Joplin Symphony.
They returned to their California roots by way of Woodland for several years where Helen taught at Gibson Elementary School and finally settled in their primary home in 1958 in San Jose. Helen taught primary K-2 at the Metzler School until her 2nd child was born. She then taught private violin lessons while raising her children and played in the San Jose Symphony at night.
She was a member of the Montalvo Service League in support of its Arts Center where she enjoyed preparing and working at the Yuletide holiday events. A long-time supporter of the musical arts in Silicon Valley specifically the San Francisco Symphony, San Jose Symphony and the San Jose Wind Symphony. Helen enjoyed playing tennis and excelled at doubles. She was a longtime member of the Los Gatos Swim and Racquet Club. Helen graduated from Sacramento City College with an AA degree and later completed her teaching credentials at Sacramento State University. Helen will be interred at the Los Gatos Memorial Park at a future date and in a private family ceremony.
Helen's greatest happiness was to be with her family, especially her grandchildren. She is survived by her two children: Scott Johnston (Cindy), Annette Johnston Welton (Pat). Grandchildren: Christopher (Chelsea) Johnston, Alexander (Alexa) Welton, Mikaela Welton, Holly Johnston McIntyre (Danny), Brooke Johnston, Alison Johnston and great Granddaughter Avery Welton. She is predeceased by her husband of 69 years Darrell Leland Johnston, her mother Aniela (Kopec) Slawek, father Stanley Slawek, and sister Stella (Stasha).
A special thank you to Dr. Scott Schneiderman and to the entire staff at Merrill Gardens of Monterey, Ileini's Care Inc and to special friend Mr. John Goings and his family. Memorial donations may be made in her name to:
Montalvo Arts Center: Montalvoarts.org San Jose Wind Symphony: SJWS.org