Cindy Johnson

On Thursday, September 4, 2025, Cindy Johnson was in the company of family and close friends who were trying very hard to comfort her and keep her with them for just a little longer when, at 6:15 in the evening she moved from their hands to the loving embrace of her Lord and Savior.

Cindy was born on September 12, 1951, in Topeka, Kansas. The family moved to Brockport, New York, where she graduated from high school. She next earned a bachelor's degree in psychology at University of New York, Binghamton.

After working three years in New York as a case worker and probation officer, she decided it was time to move on, choosing Central Washington University to earn a Master’s Degree in School Psychology and Counseling.

K-12 schools here in Washington State were newly required to have Counseling and Psychology programs, so Cindy went right to work after graduation, remaining in Ellensburg and working at a number of small schools within driving distance, finishing her 28-year School Counseling career at Kittitas School District.

She volunteered for a number of governing boards over the years involving youth and mental health. She created the original training manual for the Court Advocates for Children in Kittitas County and trained the original groups of volunteer advocates.

While no one is perfect, Cindy got pretty darn close to embodying the fruits of the spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These traits were most in use after 1995 when she said yes to her husband and

rest-of-her-life partner, Will Johnson. Note, judgment was not on the list.

She loved cooking, and loved inviting people over to eat what she cooked. For twenty-eight years family, friends, and who ever she could drag in off the street shared Thanksgiving Dinner at the Johnson House. Those from a distance stayed over for waffles and huckleberry sauce the next morning. Cindy orchestrated an everybody-participates Chinese New Year’s dinner that gained a level of local fame.

Cindy also loved hiking, kayaking, and camping. After retiring, she and Will took their travel trailer on several trips to the canyon lands of Utah and adjacent states. She loved hiking and exploring the slick rock country of the Southwest.

Over the years she and Will (under her supervision) roofed, sided, and remodeled every inch of their home. She did the same thing as a long-time member of the Properties Committee at the Ellensburg Presbyterian Church, and even after being diagnosed with cancer, she was right in the middle of two major remodels at the church, paint brush in hand. Her activities at church were not limited to just the Properties Committee, she was involved with or helped in many of the church’s activities.

Most important to her were her family and friends. Her siblings Nancy Brownell, Lee Seward and Stan Seward, and her associated nieces and nephews and grand nieces and nephews will sorely miss her. The same is true of her sisters-in-law, Janet Aliseo and Mary James, and the associated younger generations.

It might be a while, but we’ll be seeing you, Cindy Johnson. We certainly do love you!

Cindy’s family will host a memorial service at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 20, 2025 at the Ellensburg Presbyterian Church with Rev. Daniel Triller officiating.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Johnston & Williams of Ellensburg. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.johnston-williams.com