Johanna Kate Johnston

1968 – 2024

Johanna Kate Johnston, formerly of Santa Ynez, 1968-2024

Kate died of injuries while riding her bike. A hit-and-run driver struck her.

Kate attended these local schools: Ballard, Dunn Middle School and Santa Ynez High School. She graduated from the College of Creative Studies at UCSB and Santa Barbara College of Law. She was an attorney for the California State Department of Social Services in Sacramento. She was also a gifted writer.

Kate was serious and funny and kind. She loved being a mother. She liked working; her “retirement” plan was to teach writing at Sacramento City College. Her life was filled with joy and love. She liked fishing and traveling with her son, walking the dogs, exercising with her sister, the YMCA, cooking for her family. She loved her life with Teresa.

She leaves her sorrowing family: Her wife ,Teresa Zepeda, and her son, Enzo; her parents Jeanne and Stewart Johnston; her sisters, Taran and Anne; and her sisters’ children, Atlas and Emmet. Her work mates and many friends join her family in sorrow.

An informal memorial will be held in Sacramento in the future.