Dortheda (Geib) Johnston

Dortheda (Geib) Johnston

A Determined Women -

Dortheda (Geib) Johnston, age 99, of Mechanicsburg passed away at ManorCare in Carlisle on Tuesday, August 31, 2021.  Dortheda was born on Sunday, February 26, 1922, in Camp Hill to the late Ira Barnhart Geib and Olive Florence (Holley) Geib.  Dortheda was the widow of Richard “Dick” Maxwell Johnston, whom she married on June 19, 1946, and who died on November 30, 2019.  In addition to her parents and husband, Dorotheda is preceded in death by her sister, Merial Geib Schell.

Dortheda’s survivors include her nephew, Edward “Ed” Thomas Schell of Pompano Beach, FL; her very close friend, Linda Lee Mitchell and husband, Mike, of Mechanicsburg; and many cousins.

Dortheda graduated from New Cumberland High School as part of the class of 1940 and from Polyclinic School of Nursing in 1943.  She was employed by Polyclinic Hospital in Harrisburg and Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, MD as a Registered Nurse.  Afterwards she worked as a private duty registered nurse, who later cared for her father and her husband. Dorotheda was a long-time member of Hope United Methodist Church in Mechanicsburg, where she served on the Altar guild, as a Sunday school teacher and sang in the church choir.  She was a woman of many talents and interests.  Dortheda loved to sing and was a member of the Mechanicsburg Area Ecumenical Choir.  She loved to tend to her flower gardens and enjoyed arranging beautiful bouquets from the flowers that she grew. She was a member of the Carlisle Garden Club, where she served as the corresponding secretary. Dortheda was a talented painter, who loved to paint in oil colors.  She and her husband Dick loved dogs and raised many Irish Setters over the years. Most of all, Dortheda will be remembered as a caregiver, not only to her family, but to everyone that needed her care.

All are welcome to join Dortheda’s family at her celebration of life service on Monday, September 13, 2021 beginning at 10:30 a.m. at Hope United Methodist Church, 6260 Carlisle Pike, Mechanicsburg, PA 17050, with Rev. Dr. Richard E. Denison, Jr. officiating.  Dortheda’s family invites everyone to join them for a time of food and fellowship at her church, immediately following the service.  A private interment in Resurrection Cemetery in Harrisburg, will take place at the convenience of the family.  Cremation was private.

Contributions in celebration of Dortheda’s life can be made to Hope United Methodist Church, 6260 Carlisle Pike, Mechanicsburg, PA 17050, or Heartland Hospice, 1200 Walnut Bottom Road, Suite 302, Carlisle, PA 17015.

Dortheda’s family has entrusted her care to Buhrig Funeral Home & Crematory in Mechanicsburg, (717) 766-3421.  Read Dortheda’s full obituary, view her photograph, offer condolences and sympathy, share stories and memories, upload photographs and videos, light a candle and sign her official guest book by visiting Buhrig.com.