Shirley H. Johnstone

Shirley H. (Britton) Johnstone, age 93 of Carlisle died Friday, April 4, 2025 at Chapel Pointe, where she had lived for many years.

Born in Harrisburg, she was the only child of the late Edgar and Elizabeth (Bollinger) Hedrick and the wife of the late Allen M. Johnstone.

She is survived by her children, Bobbie H. Britton, Beth Ann McCarney (Ricky), Mark W. Britton, Rebecca S. Britton (Michael), Valli G. Smith (Edward), Thomas S. Johnstone (Lorri); her grandchildren: Jason Britton (So Yeon), Lee Daniel Jordan (Hyun), Mandy McCarney, Sarah McCarney, Tabitha Sheehan (John), Emerald Sernaker (Matt) as well as her great-grandchildren: Bryant McCarney, Elizabeth Dormon, Jacob, Ava, and Aria Jordan, Jay and Teagan Sheehan. Shirley was preceded in death by Warren A Britton and Michael T. Britton.

Since she was young, Shirley loved God, music, and people. Shirley was a member of Second Presbyterian Church Carlisle, where she had been an Elder, Deacon, Trustee and until recent years a member of the choir. She had previously been a member at Market Square Presbyterian Church in Harrisburg where she was an Elder, Trustee and sang in the choir. She had also previously been a member of Mechanicsburg Presbyterian Church where she was a Deacon and sang in the choir. She had been a member of the Choral Society of Harrisburg, The Scottish Society of Central Pennsylvania and a Charter Member of Clan Johnstone in America. She was a lifelong student of the Bible, loved all her family and traveled many times to see them over the years. She also enjoyed traveling all over the world, Scottish dancing, the arts, reading, and was active in politics. We all loved her and learned so much from her. She will be deeply missed.

Shirley was a lifelong learner, going to college in her later years while raising her children, graduating from HACC and then Dickinson College with her bachelor’s degree. She held various jobs while attending college and afterwards.

She knew the struggle of finding quality care for children while parents worked outside of the home and started a Day Care Center with Tressler Lutheran in Mechanicsburg and later started Downtown Day Care at Market Square Presbyterian Church in Harrisburg, where she served as the Director.

In her last act of generosity Shirley fulfilled her wish to donate her body to medical science for research and education through Humanity Gifts Registry of the State of Pennsylvania.

The family wishes to thank the staff at Chapel Pointe for their great love and later care of their mother and Homeland Hospice of Harrisburg.

Memorial gifts may be sent to Chapel Pointe Benevolent Fund 770 South Hanover Street, Carlisle PA 17013, Homeland Hospice 2300 Vartan Way, Suite 270, Harrisburg PA 17110 or Second Presbyterian Church- Music Ministries Fund 528 Garland Drive, Carlisle PA 17013

We also would like to thank all of Shirley’s many friends from throughout her life for their Love and continued support.

Services will be held at the convenience of the family.