Pheobe L. Johnston

COLEBROOK – Pheobe L. Johnston, 86, of Colebrook, passed away early on Tuesday morning, Dec. 2, 2025, at the home of her daughter in Berlin, N.H., and after a period of declining health. She was born in Columbia on Sept. 23, 1939, a daughter to the late Wesley ‘Hoot’ and Beaulah (Jackson) Hartwell. She was raised and educated in the Columbia area and was a 1957 graduate of Colebrook Academy. After school, she and her sister moved to Connecticut where Pheobe met her future husband through her future father-in-law whom she worked with. After marriage and starting a family, they relocated to Colebrook in 1971, and made their home at the old Mohawk red schoolhouse on Rt. 26. Pheobe’s local working life was spent as a stitcher, first for MMI, then Gamm in North Stratford, and finally for many years at Codet, Inc., from which she retired at the age of 74. She would open her heart and home to everyone, and loved nature and plants, especially her yearly vegetable garden. She was a hard worker and very influential to everyone in the family and many in the community. Pheobe loved to be with friends and family. She was always willing to help others before thinking of herself. She is survived by two daughters, Jamie Godbout and Virginia ‘Ginny’ Johnston of Berlin; her siblings, Betsy Lynch of Colebrook, Linda Thibeault of Florida, Brian (Fran) Hartwell of Connecticut, and Tony (Lorrene) Hartwell of Pittsburg, N.H., a sister-in-law, Beverly Hartwell of Tennessee; three grandchildren: Lucas Johnston, Sara Newcombe, and Cameron Broad; and three great-grandchildren: Aliyah Johnston, Louie Newcombe, and Sebastian Johnston. She is predeceased by her husband James M. Johnston in 2012, a daughter, Jayne Newcombe, a brother, Freeman Hartwell, a sister, Ramona ‘Jeannie’ Washer, and a great-grandson, Conway Newcombe. There are no public calling hours. The family will privately inter Pheobe and James together in the Colebrook Village Cemetery on a later date. Condolences may be offered to the family on-line by going to www.jenkinsnewman.com. Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Jenkins & Newman Funeral Home in Colebrook.

Pheobe L. Johnston

September 23, 1939 - December 2, 2025