April 30, 1929 - September 26, 2015
Vera (Cathy, Cay, Aunt Cay, Catherine) was born in Deadwood, South Dakota on April 30, 1929 to Norbert Andrew Johnston and Vera Ethel (Jacobs). She passed away on September 26, 2015. She was the oldest of eight children. The family moved from South Dakota in the 1940’s and settled in Long Beach, California. She graduated from Long Beach Poly Technic High School and married Lyal Stephen Tefft on June 18, 1949. They lived in many places in and around Long Beach and the Orange County areas. She loved to play golf and most of all she was devoted to her children and grandchildren. She was a stay at home mom until the age of 65 when she went to work for the State of California, she retired after ten years. She is survived by her daughter Mary (Tefft) Meadows, her husband Lemont and their two children Amelia and Audra, daughter-in-law Kathy Tefft and her children Tyler and Ashley, and her sisters Elizabeth Gershon, Margaret Fish, brother Andy Johnston and numerous cousins. Preceeded in death by her husband Lyal and son Stephen, sisters Lavonne, Shirely, Mildred and brother Charles. Vera resided at Fairwood Assisted Living. She enjoyed her daily games and the company of the other residents. Always a smile on her face, never a cross word, she was loved by many and will be greatly missed. The family would like to thank the staff at Fairwood Assisted Living for their excellent attention and care. Arrangements for a memorial service will be held next spring. She will be laid to rest with her husband at Riverside National Cemetery, Riverside, California.
