Endrene Christine (Reindel) Johnston was born December 13, 1914, at Detroit, Michigan, the daughter of Edward C. and Ola C. (Lott) Reindel. She had a younger sister, Jean Elizabeth, born around 1916. The family made their home on Highland Avenue in Highland Park, Michigan. Their father, Edward, was described variously as a "stock manager" or salesman, in the retail furniture business.
In 1930 the family was living at 346 Cortland Avenue, and by 1940 Endrene had completed three years of college, and was working as a "fashion artist." This was the first step on her journey to becoming a listed artist, with works still available in galleries today. She painted primarily landscapes and cityscapes, and signed many of her works simply as "Endrene."
Endrene was married to the Canadian artist Doug Johnston. In 1974 she was living in New York City at 201 E. 33rd Street, in the neighborhood of Murray Hill.
Endrene Reindel Johnston died aged 86, on April 13, 2001, in Bellevue Hospital in New York City. She was buried on Hart Island.
Sources: US Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007; US Social Security Death Index; 1920, 1930 and 1940 US Federal Censuses; http://www.stewartgalleries.com/EndreneReindelJohnston.htm; US Public Records Index, 1950-1993, Vol. 1.