Mary Ann Johnston, 84, died on Wednesday, August 24, 2016 after an extended illness.

She was born in East Liverpool, Ohio, on November 28, 1931, a daughter of the late Roland and Catherine (Bennett) Rogers.

A graduate of Chester High School in 1949, she was known locally as the “teapot lady” for her love of collecting teapots.

She is survived at home by her husband of 67 years, John W. “Jack” Johnston, with whom she loved traveling all over the United States, Canada and Mexico. Their biggest adventure was a month-long trip to Australia and New Zealand. Mary Ann is also survived by her daughter Millicent (George) Hines and her daughter-in-law Diana Johnston, both of New Cumberland. In addition, she is survived by her sister, Roberta (Carl) Atkinson of San Diego, CA, as well as three grandsons; George (Jelayne) Hines of Canfield, OH., Philip Hines of Chester, and James (Laura) Johnston of Follansbee; as well as two great-grandchildren, Tyler and Sophie and numerous nieces and nephews.

 Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by two sons, John and Jim.

Mary Ann worked as a supervisor for several years at local K-Mart Stores, and she also owned and edited The Autoharp Quarterly, an international music magazine for autoharp enthusiasts. An accomplished musician, she was a charter member of the Appalachian Folk Music Club and traveled all over the nation to various folk music festivals where she won awards for her music, including being inducted into the Autoharp Hall of Fame.

Visitation will be held at the Arner Funeral Chapel in Chester on Saturday, August 27, 2016, from 2-4 and 6-8pm. Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Chester Teapot Committee. The family would like to thank all of those who helped to care for Mary Ann in her most recent illness, including the staff at East Liverpool City Hospital 4^th floor ICU and Valley Oaks Nursing Home. 

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