Obituary of Gisèle Jeanneau Johnston

Gisèle Jeanneau Johnston, 87, of Malone, N.Y., passed away on unexpectedly on March 19, 2018 in Charleston, S.C. surrounded by family. She was born on August 3, 1930 in Sainte Martine, Québec to Paul and Berthe (Jodoin) Jeanneau. She graduated from l’Académie Saint-Urbain in Montréal in 1948. She continued her studies at the Royal Victoria Hospital for two years, graduating as a certified laboratory technician. During her high school years she was involved in helping with her family’s business, Hotel Jeanneau, in St. Martine. In 1951 she moved to Malone to attend St. Joseph’s Ursuline Academy in order to improve her English language skills. Malone residents Romeo Pilon and his wife Marion, cousins of the Jeanneau family, first introduced Gisèle to Lincoln C. Johnston. They were united in marriage on November 26, 1953 by Father Gilbert J. Faucher in Sainte Martine, Québec. Following their marriage, Gisele worked for several years for Dr. John T. Saint Mary’s medical practice in Malone. She was predeceased by her husband of 64 years, Lincoln, who passed away on February 19, 2018. She is survived by three children, Jocelyn Johnston (Dan Lefkowitz) of Charlottesville, V.A.,, Julie L. Johnston of Charleston, S.C. and Gregory Johnston (Renee Pepper) of Ravenel, S.C., nine grandchildren, Collin Barletta, Elyse Barletta-Sherwin, Aaron Lefkowitz, Andrea Lefkowitz, David Behuniak, Ross Behuniak, Evan Johnston, Kyle Johnston, Adam Johnston, and a great granddaughter, Callie Grace Johnston. She is also survived by three sisters Jeannette Jeanneau, Ghislaine Jeanneau Demers, Micheline Jeanneau Dubuc (Jean Guy) and one brother Léo Jeanneau, as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was predeceased by three brothers, Jacques, Jean-Paul, and Marc Jeanneau as well as an aunt, Sister Andrea (Georgette) Jeanneau, OSU, who taught for many years at St. Joseph’s Academy and Notre Dame School in Malone. She was an active member of the Elks Club, The American Legion Auxiliary, and a member of Notre Dame Church. She volunteered and participated in many activities for the Malone Winter Carnivals. She loved gardening, enjoyed sewing and spending summers in Quebec on the St. Lawrence River with her family, and socializing with friends. She spent many winters in Sarasota and Dunedin, Florida, with her husband in their retirement years. She will be remembered as a beloved wife, mother and friend. A joint memorial service and reception will be held for Gisèle and Lincoln in late July in Malone, New York. Their ashes will be buried at Saint Francis of Assisi Cemetery in Constable, N.Y. Memorial donations may be made to the Malone Lodge of Elks #1303, 67 Elm St., Malone, NY 12953. Online condolences can be submitted at http://lowcountryfuneral.com