Mary “Cindie” Johnston

Mary Lucinda (Cindie) Johnston passed away at her home on Wednesday, April 16th, surrounded by her family.

Cindie was born to Everette and Frances (Heric) Johnston on February 18th, 1938 in Escanaba. She lived first on a poultry farm that her parents operated near Valentine Creek in Garden. Not long after, they moved to the Ogontz Bay area, in Rapid River. They resided in a home they built on CC Road, until they purchased their 120-acre farm on BB Road where she lived a country kid’s dream, helping her dad with farm chores, using the team of work horses to plough, plant, and hay the fields. They also raised chickens and pigs, dogs and cats. She and her sister, Meryle spent their childhood making memories with the group of 8 cousins in the neighborhood from the Weiks and Lewis families. As a child, Cindie was active in 4-H and entered a calf each year in the State Fair, winning multiple ribbons. She was driving a stand-up John Deere tractor around the farm at 10 years old.

After graduating from Rapid River High School in 1955, Cindie completed an LPN program, always dreaming of being a nurse. Instead, she decided to become a full-time homemaker, marrying James Hebert on September 3, 1955. They were married nearly 30 years and had 12 children. Cindie’s family was her life’s work. She raised them with the love, patience and the devotion of a saint.

In 1979, Cindie became co-owner of the A&W Restaurant in Rapid River. She managed a very successful business, winning the franchise’s award for “Best Restaurant” in the US in 1984 and 1985. She employed many area teens and her own children. Most importantly, she provided a place for unlimited root beer floats and french fries for her family!

Cindie was a catechism teacher and involved in Girl Scouts with her daughters. She was very well-known for her baked goods, especially her rye bread, jams and jellies. Many would seek her out at craft shows in Nahma and Rapid River. She later worked in bakeries at Wally’s and Super One Grocery Stores.

Her Catholic faith was very important to her and she shared that with her children and grandchildren. She loved to draw and was quite a good artist. She loved growing things, everything! She loved trying new recipes, quilting, sewing, flowers, country music, puzzles, her Scottish heritage, coffee, picnics, and the outdoors. Snowmobiling was a pastime she enjoyed with her family and friends for years, going on long rides and having picnics in the woods. The family had a huge vegetable garden, raised their own meat cows and chickens. She could fix any problem her children brought to her. Many emergencies garnered the response of Mom’s needle and thread or the dreaded iodine bottle. Also, the spoonful of cod-liver oil as you were trying to dash out to the bus to avoid it! She believed in letting kids run in the rain, puddle jump and making their own mess in the kitchen. She made every birthday and holiday special with traditions and lots of food and goodies. She insisted the entire family pile into her house for the holidays where she would turn out a feast and stand back and relish in the chaos.

Cindie’s old-fashioned values, in retrospect, were the most precious thing she could pass on to her children and grandchildren. Looking to her family’s needs first was always her priority. She leaves a legacy of faith, the value of family and appreciation for anything made with love by one’s own hands.

Cindie was preceded in death by her parents, son Alan John, grandchildren Travis Hebert & Sarah Ledford, and great-grandchild Mason Clark.

She is survived by her sister, Meryle Groleau, 11 children, James Hebert, Jr., Cheryl LaFave (Russ), Marvin Hebert, Kristine Champagne (Dave), Michael Hebert (Roxann), Patti Hebert (Bob), Jerry Hebert (Estela), Connie Sholl (Steve), Marcus Hebert, Jamie Closs (Brian), Pamela Belanger (Tim), 17 grandchildren Derik, Jeremy, Marjorie, Nathan, Bradley, Heather, Miranda, Tammy, Melissa, Ashley, Kayla, Bailianna, Morgan, Caden, Chloe, Natalie, Everett and

20 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Family will receive friends on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 from 2 PM to 4 PM at the Skradski Funeral Home in Gladstone. Mass of Christian Burial will follow visiting hours at 5 PM at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in Rapid River with Rev. Fr. Ryan Ford officiating. A luncheon will follow mass in the parish hall. The Skradski Family Funeral Homes of Delta County are assisting the Johnston family.