Fay L. Johnstone

Fay L. Johnstone
October 22, 1936- June 4, 2026

Fay Loraine Johnstone (nee Thompson) was born on October 22, 1936, in Owego, New York to Arthur Chase and Maude Estella Thompson who predeceased her. Fay graduated from Owego Free Academy and began working as a telephone operator for New York Telephone in Monticello where she forged lifelong friendships and gathered hysterical stories of celebrity phone calls from comedians like Jerry Lewis who enjoyed “testing” the jokes he planned to tell in the big Catskill resorts. After growing quite homesick for family, Fay returned to Owego and made this area her home for most of her life.
In 1957 with a brand new dress just waiting to be worn, Fay bravely accepted a New Year’s Eve blind date with Wayne Johnstone who had just returned from his Army post in Korea. It was not long before they both realized they had met their soulmate and they were happily married on May 31, 1958, in the Owego United Methodist Church before family and friends. Thus began their legacy of creating a family of four girls who became their entire world. Fay never missed an opportunity to enrich the lives of her children with music and dance lessons, sports, church, or reading endless volumes of books and baking fresh desserts for every meal.
While raising a family, Fay also worked for the Owego Apalachin School District as a teacher’s assistant. Once all of her girls were enrolled in school, she became a Telecommunications Analyst for International Business Machines (IBM) and had offices in Owego, Glendale, and Endicott until her retirement.
Although busy with an active family, Fay made time throughout her life to remain an active member of the Owego United Methodist Church and the Owego Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star. As longtime members of the Tioga Region of the Antique Car Club of America, Wayne and Fay especially loved the many auto shows, parades, and long drives in their various antique automobiles, especially the Model A Ford. She was also extremely proud to be a devoted member of the IBM Country Club and later the Binghamton Boating Club where she enjoyed camping and boating with family and friends for many years. Fay and Wayne loved this location on Seneca Lake so much that they purchased land nearby in hopes of one day building a retirement home. Wayne’s death in 1996 unfortunately ended that dream, but never prevented Fay from making one more trip to the lake just to take in the view of their favorite spot. Meals on Wheels was another organization that benefitted from Fay’s generosity as she made deliveries for many years. Later, other volunteers from the same organization provided comfort and nourishment to her, allowing her to remain independent into her eighties.
Fay’s family was her most significant contribution to this world and by far her greatest source of pride and joy. Each and every one of her four children, six grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren brought a twinkle to her gorgeous blue eyes and a smile to her face when they entered her home. She loved sharing stories of the wonderful memories she made with them and celebrated all of their accomplishments.
Fay was a truly remarkable wife, mother, grandmother, and friend who lived 88 of her 89 years independently and fully. Following a brief illness, on June 4, 2026, Fay left her earthly family peacefully and quietly to join her Lord and Savior as well as so many friends and family in the Kingdom of Heaven.
Fay was predeceased by her devoted grandmother, Ruth Hanbury; parents, Chase and Maude Thompson; her loving husband, Wayne A. Johnstone; sister-in-law, Phyllis Kvassay; and daughters, Jody A. McDowell and Leslie K. Patten.
She is survived by sister-in-laws, Sharon Perkins and Carleen Hurd, and daughters, Tracie Johnstone (Faye Welch) and Sharyl Johnstone. She was also blessed to enjoy the lives of six grandchildren, Ryan McDowell (Sarah); Abby Fitch (Jason); Falon Herwerth; William Johnstone; Duncan Spicer; and Conner Spicer; as well as five great-grandchildren, Zachary Fitch; Jacob Fitch; Logan Fitch; Jemma Johnstone; and Brody Middendorf.
The family and friends of Fay L. Johnstone will gather at the Owego United Methodist Church, 261 Main Street, Owego, New York, on June 22, 2026, at 11:00 AM to celebrate her life. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in her memory to Mercy House of the Southern Tier, 212 N. McKinley Avenue, Endicott, New York, 13760, or Meals on Wheels of Western Broome, 705 W. Main St., Endicott, NY 13760.