So-talented Diana had tremendous sense of fun

Published on Wednesday 5 March 2008 09:25

DIANA JOHNSTON, a community leader and long-standing editor of the South Leith Parish Church magazine, died aged 81. She leaves behind husband Andy, and will be dearly missed by the Leithers she served so well.

Known for her infectious smile and hard-working attitude, Mrs Johnston was heavily involved in causes and voluntary organisations throughout Leith.

But as well as her tireless community work, she was also a keen theatre-goer and amateur dramatist.

Jean Jamieson, her friend and acting companion, said: "She was my greatest friend to go to theatre with. Her husband would say that we were terrible to go with because you wouldn't be allowed to whisper during the performance because we were so engrossed in what was going on and you couldn't get a word in during the break because we would be discussing it.

"She was a fantastic actress, she could make people laugh and make people cry.

"She came through a number of things in her life and had a fantastic marriage with Andy, who is just so proud of what they had together.

"He just lights up every time she is talked about and I think that's what gets him through this."

As well as being heavily involved in the community, Mrs Johnston was also an expert book-keeper.

Mrs Jamieson added: "She was extremely competent in that role. She was thoroughly dependable and a thoroughly nice human being.

"She suffered from dementia but it was lucky that all through that she never once lost her nice nature.

"She was also a very beautiful woman, but like all beautiful people she wasn't vain and she didn't behave like she was beautiful."

In a recent tribute to Mrs Johnston, her successor at the South Leith Parish Church's Kirk and Folk magazine said she would be sadly missed by everyone who had worked with her.

Current editor Margaret Gray, who came to know Mrs Johnston after she moved to Leith 12 years ago and got involved in the church, wrote: "It was with great sadness that we learned of the death of Di Johnston.

"For many years Di was editor of Kirk and Folk and as with everything she did, she went about the job with her ready smile and sense of fun. Over the years Di built up a tremendous rapport with James, Fiona and Mo at Barr Printers and they join me and all at South Leith Parish Church in sending our love, gratitude, prayers and very best wishes to her beloved Andy. God Bless."

She is survived by her husband Andy.