DEBORAH JOHNSTON

JOHNSTON Deborah Ann Johnston On November 1, 2017 of Silver Spring, MD. Beloved wife of Bruce L. Marcus. Loving mother of Brendon J. Johnston (Amanda). Cherished grandmother of Dylan, Bryce, and Colton Johnston. Loving sister of Donna Giardiello (John), Kasey O'Neill-Bowers (Todd), Francis O'Neill (Cindy), Shawn O'Neill (Lisa) Dear daughter of Mildred E. O'Neill and James J. O'Neill (dec.); dear daughter-in-law of Barbara F. and Charles H. Marcus. She is also survived by her brother-in-law, J. "Otis" Marcus (Pamela), sister-in-law, Rebecca Marcus, and numerous nieces and nephews. Debbie was born July 14, 1953 in Reading, Pennsylvania. She graduated from Holy Name High School in Reading, Penn. in 1971. After high school, she attended Catholic University where she graduated with a B.A. in Economics followed by her J.D. As she finished law school, she became a mother to her son, Brendon Johnston. Debbie served as a judicial law clerk in the Circuit Court for Prince George's County. Subsequently, she was appointed as an Assistant State's Attorney for Prince George's County, MD. Debbie rose through the ranks culminating with her being named Deputy State's Attorney for Prince George's County. In 1994, Debbie was appointed to serve as an Assistant United States Attorney in the United State's Attorney's Office for the Southern Division of Maryland. Highly decorated and honored, during her 23 years in federal service she served as Chief of the United States Attorneys Office - Southern Division, as Associate Deputy Attorney General in the United States Department of Justice. Most recently, she was appointed as Senior Litigation Counsel in the United States Attorneys Office. Debbie was the first active prosecutor and the second female trial lawyer in Maryland to be offered fellowship in the Maryland Chapter of the American College of Trial Lawyers. Debbie spent decades with her best friend, soulmate, and husband, Bruce L. Marcus. An avid skier, biker, sailor, traveler, culinary wizard and hostess, Debbie truly enjoyed life spent with her husband, Bruce; in being "Grammie" to her three grandsons; spending time with her mother and family from both Reading and Suburban Washington; at her home in Rehoboth; in travels round the globe; and in the company of a tightly knit group of friends who were in truth, her family. The Viewing will be held on Monday, November 6, 2017 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Hines-Rinaldi, 11800 New Hampshire Avenue, Silver Spring, MD. The Funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, November 7, 2017 at 11 a.m. at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church, 9200 Kentsdale Drive, Potomac, MD. The Interment will be immediately following the Mass at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, 13801 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring, MD. Following the Interment, guests are invited to join the family for a gathering at Manor Country Club, 14901 Carrollton Road, Shiva will be observed at her home on Wednesday, November 8, and Thursday November 9, 2017 beginning at 7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to S.O.M.E (So Others May Eat) 71 O Street NW, Washington, DC 20001, www.some.org. Rockville, MD.In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to S.O.M.E (So Others May Eat) 71 O Street NW, Washington, DC 20001, www.some.org. Rockville, MD.