Patricia Caryl Johnston

Patricia Caryl Johnston, died February 7, 2025. She was born April 12, 1954 outside of Paris in the town of Neuilly-Sur-Seine, France to the late Bruce F. and Harriet Johnston (nee Pollin). Patricia attended schools in Stanford, CA and in France before moving on to Stanford University where she received her degree in psychology. She went right to graduate school at the University of Denver to earn her Masters in Social Work. She later received her ED.S. from University of Colorado, Denver.

Patricia spent her professional career working in Jefferson County as a Social Worker for elementary schools. She became a role model and a positive, trustworthy force for kids and their families when they needed support. She served on the district crisis response team in moments of need, including after the Columbine High School shooting. She was named Colorado School Social worker of Distinction in 1999.

After 31 years with Jefferson County, Patricia was not done. In 2008, she moved on to work in Denver Public Schools helping schools set up PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Support). Her long career in Social Work enriched and inspired the lives of many young people as a role model and caring professional.

Patricia was a master at creating a strong community of family and friends. She knew how to nurture those bonds into lasting life-long relationships. She was kind, funny, an amazing punster and passionate about fairness and justice in the world. She was full of life, loved beauty and was an artful conversationalist as well as a classy dresser.

She was president of the Denver Women’s Chorus in the late ‘80’s. She was crazy about women’s college basketball, especially the Stanford women’s team. She loved her college alma mater so much she had the Stanford Marching Band ring for her cell phone. Patricia loved to travel and enjoy the world and especially had a great love of anything French, from speaking the language to eating French food. Most of all she loved California!

Patricia is survived by her wife, Nina Leitman, her nieces Elizabeth and Sasha and many friends whom she considered family. Her brother Bruce, Jr (Skip) preceded her in death in 2014.

Her life will be celebrated on Saturday, May 17, 2025 at St. Mary’s Episocopal Church in Pacific Grove, CA at 11 am and also at a future date in Colorado.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to an organization working to heal our world and make our country a better place.