In 1979, Janet died as a result of smoke inhalation following a fire in the kitchen,Betty and Anthony Reid: "Janet and Anne Grahame Johnstone: Illustrators of Over 200 Children's Books", (Book and Magazine Collector, No. 204, March 2001) http://www.blurbwire.com/topics/Janet_and_Anne_Grahame_Johnstone::sub::The_End_Of_An_Era leaving Anne devastated and alone for the first time in her life. Their brother Murray described them together as one and a half rather than two people. Anne found herself unexpectedly responsible for the entire business enterprise previously shared with her sister, and managed to honour all of their outstanding commissions. She had to master the techniques for drawing and painting animals, particularly horses, which had been the specialty of her sister. Eventually she became so adept that she was elected a Member of the Society of Equestrian Artists in 1998."Anne Grahame Johnstone." The Times Features 30 May 1998.
