Barbara Johnstone

Barbara Ann Tamke McAvay Johnstone – 04/05/1959 – 02/17/2025

Barbara Ann Johnstone (nee Tamke McAvay) was born on April 5, 1959, in Ridgewood, NJ. Barbara was a shining example of compassion, empathy, and love, who put the needs of others above her own throughout her life. 

She grew up in Montvale NJ and graduated from Our Lady of Mercy Grammar School in 1973 and Pascack Hills High School in 1977. Barbara showed tremendous resilience, always maintaining her positive attitude, despite being a Type One diabetic since age nine. Helping care for her Grandma Lillian motivated her to attend Orange Memorial Hospital School of Nursing to fulfill her dream of becoming a pediatric nurse. 

She married the love of her life, Michael Johnstone, in September of 1982 and together they extended their love even further through their son Michael Jr. and by becoming foster parents in 1995, adopting two of those amazing foster kids. Barbara was a parishioner at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Pompton Lakes since 1990.  She particularly enjoyed Kids’ Mass at the Father Michael Carnevale Center with son Louis playing drums and her beautiful service dog Ranger in attendance!  

Barbara was tragically predeceased by her daughter Stephanie, who passed away suddenly on May 6, 2024. We believe Barbara and Stephanie (and Ranger too) are together again. As Barbara always said, “Love is forever over all.” Barbara is missed so much by her husband of 42 years Michael. Their beautiful love story continues on a higher plane. She is watching over their son Michael Jr., his wife Lisa and their sons Liam and Max, her sons Louis Johnstone and David Bahamonde, her sister Joanne Leeper and husband Leon. Other loving family members include Tracey and Andy, Brian, Evan and Jen, many nieces and nephews and of course she is missed by so many friends.  Barbara could not have loved more fully in this life, and her generosity continued after her death as she donated her body so others could learn.

Along the theme of selflessness and generosity, in lieu of flowers we are asking for donations to Janalee Gallagher (alert dog contact) whose business was leveled during recent Florida storms at 1603 82nd Street NW, Bradenton, FL 34209, or Diabetes Camp NEJEDA at P.O. Box 156, Stillwater, NJ 07875.  

The Memorial Service will be held on Friday May 9, 2025, at 10:00am at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 17 Pompton Avenue, Pompton Lakes NJ 07442 For those unable to attend the ceremony in person, it will be livestreamed: 

http://www.facebook.com/StMarysPomptonLakesFunerals or You Tube Channel https://www.youtube.com/c/StMarysPomptonLakes ;