Marie Irene Rose Donnelly Johnston

Marie Irene Rose Donnelly Johnston of Dover, age 90, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family at Park Village Health Care Centre on September 5, 2014.

Born on August 14, 1924 in Rice Lake, Wisconsin, Marie was the daughter of the late Charles and Corrine McLeod Donnelly. She graduated from Cathedral High School in Duluth, Minnesota.

While living in Washington, D.C. and working for the FBI, Marie met the love of her life, Edwin H. Johnston, a Marine and World War II veteran stationed at Marine Corps Headquarters. Edwin and Marie were married on July 10, 1944 in Philadelphia. On July 10, 2014, Marie and Edwin celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary.

Marie enjoyed crocheting and other types of needlework. She also enjoyed traveling especially to the ocean, taking long walks on the beach to find shark's teeth and feeding the seagulls. Above all, Marie loved spending quality time with her family.

Marie will be deeply missed by her beloved husband, Edwin; daughter, Wynne (Bob) Smith of Dover; son, Kevin (Sheryl) Johnston of Destin, FL; grandchildren and seven great grandchildren; Brian (Julie) Johnston, parents of Brennan and Parker; Kurt (Traci) Smith, parents of Kooper, Jake, and Camryn; Lori (Jay) DeVaughn, parents of Eli; and Lindsay (Kyle) Stemple, parents of Kora and a baby boy expected to arrive in November; along with many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Marie was preceded in death by one sister and five brothers.

A celebration of Marie's life will be held at the Toland-Herzig Funeral Home & Crematory in Dover on Saturday, September 13, 2014 at 3:00 pm with Pastor Joe Schulz officiating. Food will be served immediately following the service at the Toland-Herzig Monarch Center. Friends are invited to visit on Saturday from 1:30-3:00pm at the funeral home. In honoring Marie's wishes, cremation will take place. Those unable to attend, or who would like to share a fond memory of Marie, may do so by visiting the "Obituaries & Flowers" link on the funeral home's website.

In lieu of flowers, Marie's favorite charity was St. Jude Children's Research Hospital at 800-873-6983 or http://www.stjude.org