Elizabeth Lorraine Johnstone

Rochester, NH- Elizabeth Lorraine (Avery) Johnstone 89, died peacefully on Sunday June 25, 2023 at home. Born August 3, 1933 in Laconia, NH the daughter of William and Florence (Cross) Avery. She grew up in West Campton and attended an eighth grade one room school. She went on to graduate from Plymouth High School in 1951 and Plymouth State College in 1955. She taught in Portsmouth, Spaulding High School and Noble High School. She was most fond of teaching and her students. In 1954 she married John Johnstone and they recently celebrated 69 years of marriage. Together they had two children, Neal in 1955 and Kathleen (Kate) in 1957. Lorraine loved to garden, paint tole ware and braid rugs. She knitted 30 or so pair of mittens for Head Start kids in York County.  Firm believer in charity she knitted 30 or so pair of mittens for Head Start kids in York County for about 20 years. Always ready for adventure she and John spent many happy days traveling. Upon retiring, they spent 2 months going cross country and visiting most of the National Parks.  In addition they traveled to Canada (Nova Scotia) on their motorcycle; several trips to the Caribbean and twice to Hawaii. They made numerous trips to Europe where they enjoyed art and the people. When John worked in France they had the perfect home base. Their best trip was in Kinsale Country Park in Ireland. Through the years, Lorraine supported and participated in many organizations. Her formative years include Girl Scouts, 4H, tap dancing, Grange and Rainbow Girls. Later she taught Sunday School, belonged to Haven Hill Garden Club and First Church Congregational for 60 years. She was class agent for 1955 class at Plymouth State and reunion planner for Plymouth High School of 1951. She was a longtime member of DAR, NH Historical Society, NEHGS and NH Society of Genealogists. Over the years she traced her genealogy and collected several hundred direct ancestors.  Lorraine spent many happy hours with her former teaching friends at Strafford County Teachers Association and the Noble Teachers monthly get togethers. Lorraine leaves behind her husband John; daughter, Kate and husband Dan Nickerson; grandson, John Nickerson and his wife Jen; brother-in-law, Bill Johnstone; nephew, George Wallace. She was predeceased by their son Neal in 1979. A graveside service will be held on Saturday 7/22/2023 at 11:00 AM at the Rochester Cemetery.