Mary Brett Johnston

Mary Brett Johnston was born on January 7, 1944 and died in Noblesville on May 5, 2021. She grew up in the pretty village of Glen Ellyn, IL, the daughter of Helen Rohrer Johnston and Perry F. Johnston, who predeceased her, and the sister of David Alan Johnston, who survives.

After graduating from Glenbard West High School, Brett led an interesting life in Chicago, New York City, Martha’s Vineyard, New Hampshire, and finally Indianapolis and Noblesville. Her work life included gigs in the fashion and beauty industries, Conde Nast Publications, the recording business, event promotion, and real estate sales.

For several years she traveled the world as the personal assistant and medical aide to the actress Patricia Neal and lived in Ms Neal’s apartment in NYC and her homes in Connecticut and Martha’s Vineyard, traveling with her and an entourage of Neal’s theater friends across Europe, England, the Mediterranean,  North Africa, the Holy Land and the Caribbean.

Brett retired to New Hampshire to live with a long-time friend, Arlene Rich, and joined her in an antiques business. When Arlene died, she moved to Indianapolis to be near family. For several years she volunteered as a funeral assistant at St Luke’s UMC.

Brett is survived by her brother Dave, his wife Pat Irwin Johnston, their children Joel (Jessica) Johnston, Erica (Mike) Marchetti, and Lindsey (Brice) Walker and her grandnieces and nephews Eliana and Rocco Marchetti, Courtney and Rex Johnston, and Chance and Ashton Walker.

Those wishing to memorialize Brett are encouraged to make a donation to their favorite local animal rescue charity.