Marlene (Johnstone) Dones

Marlene was 81 years – 11 days old when she left us early in the evening of May 31st – bound for the next leg of her journey of her “Eternal Camping Trip.”

She is survived by her loving husband of 35 years Larry, and their blended family – James Mast Jr. (Dena), Cathy Abney (Eric), Tammy Tyler (Joel), Jennifer Corpe (Ken) and Erica Dones, as well as 15 grandchildren and 15 great–grandchildren (with an additional 3 more due later on this year). Sisters – Lorene Yvonne Hard, Linda Butler (Ray), Diana Johnstone, and brother David Johnstone (Anne); as well as many loving cousins, nieces, nephews and so many, many cherished and loving friends…what a legacy she helped create along her journey.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Harold and Bessie Johnstone, sister Claudia Graham and brother Wayne (Debbie) Johnstone; her first husband of 20 years James Mast Sr., and their daughter Theresa Lucero.

For those of you who knew Marlene, you knew the door to her home was always open and a spot at their table awaited should you decide to stay. She knew hard work from an early age when she worked alongside her siblings picking fruit in the nearby fields in Napa. She had a wicked sense of humor and loved to give as good as she got!

Her love for travel found her cross-country adventures across the USA, both by train (with her daughters) and motorhome (with dear friends) enlightening, educational and fun, especially when she visited with her family in South Carolina.

One of the family’s (friend’s too) favorite past time was camping. What started out in Larry’s ‘Orange Pumpkin’ van, continued in a pop-up trailer and progressed into the very nicely equipped trailer today. Camping was their beloved getaway. Many a family member and friends learned to love camping and the camaraderie outdoors around the campfires at: Orchard Springs (Rollins Lake), Casini Ranch, Ocean Cove or many camping spots in they chose to venture to…Memories were made and are cherished today as camping and the outdoors was simply a slice of heaven in her book!

Mar’s greatest joy was her family. She cherished the time with their kid’s, grands and great-grands. She loved being on the sidelines at a football game, or karate match in order to cheer the kids on.

The greatest gift she left us with was the time she spent making everyone she knew feel special and welcome. Leaving her loved ones was very difficult for her to do, but those closest to her are secure in the knowledge she left a bit of herself attached to their hearts…we know it’s hard to forget someone who gave us all so much to remember…

Service to be held here at Tulocay Cemetery on Friday, June 23rd at 11:00AM, with reception immediately following.

If you wish to send flowers for the service, please send to Tulocay Cemetery 411 Coombsville Rd. Napa

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Marlene (Johnstone) Dones, please visit our floral store.