Helen Sludden Johnston

Helen Sludden Johnston passed away peacefully in her home in Richardson, Texas on March 3, 2014 surrounded by her three children, Patti Parthemore of Sherman, Connecticut, John Johnston of Richardson, Texas and Teri Myers of Dallas, Texas. Helen was born in Glenboig, Scotland on April 13, 1922. After graduation Helen worked for a while at Woolworths' cosmetic counter in Coatbridge, Scotland. When WW II broke out, Helen left Woolworths to work at the Park Head Forge Munitions Factory to aid the war effort. In 1944 she married her childhood sweetheart, John Johnston (1922 - 2005) who was in the Royal Navy at the time. The family, including their first child, Patti, immigrated to the United States in 1955 and settled in New York where Johnny, their second child, was born. In 1959 they moved back to Scotland where Teri, their third child, was born but ultimately decided to return to New York.
A job opportunity in 1974 took Helen and John along with their two younger children to Plano, Texas. Texas would become their home for the rest of their lives. Their married daughter, Patti, and her family, remained in New York.
Helen worked in the Infant Room at the Westshore Child Development Center in Richardson for many years; a job that she truly loved. After retirement she became a member of the Richardson Red Hat Society and enjoyed many outings with her dear friends proudly wearing her purple and red.
Helen is survived by five grandchildren, Philip Vecchione of Tonawanda, New York, Heather Henderson of Richardson, Texas, Lindsey McNulty of Allen, Texas, Steve Myers of Plano, Texas and Maggie Johnston of Dallas, Texas. She is also survived by four great grandchildren, Liam Gordon Henderson, Dante David Vecchione, Rose Marie Vecchione, and Brooklyn Grace McNulty. Helen's remaining family in Scotland and England consists of two sisters, Elizabeth McAllister, Jean O'Hagan, three sister-in-laws, Elizabeth Sludden, Lilias Sludden and Isabel Johnston along with many, many nieces and nephews.
A graveside service will be held at 12:00 noon on Saturday, March 29, 2014 at the Sacred Heart Cemetery, 3900 Rowlett Road, Rowlett, Texas. A memorial luncheon will follow in Richardson.