IRENE CLARA JOHNSTON (SHERWOOD)

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IRENE CLARA JOHNSTON (nee SHERWOOD) August 5, 1919 - June 16, 2006 Peacefully after a lengthy illness, on Friday June 16, 2006 at Riverview Health Centre, surrounded by her loving family. Miss Sherwood as she was known to all her pupils, taught Hawaiian guitar in the towns of Morris, Morden, Winkler, Carmen and Emerson, and for many years following in Winnipeg. During the war years, Irene entertained the military with her Hawaiian Guitar Trio Irene Sherwood and her Royal Hawaiians at Eaton's Canteen. She also performed at the Y.M.C.A. and many other places putting on concerts for the servicemen. She also appeared at the Beacon Theatre and the Cave Nightclub, which showcased vaudeville acts. From 1931 on, Irene spent summers at Sherwood Lake, ON which bears the surname of her late father. It was at Sherwood Lake that Irene met Ed Johnston in 1946 and they married in 1947. They first lived in Swift Current and Regina before settling in East Kildonan where they raised their five children. They had 47 years together filled with music, friends and family. Irene bowled at Rossmere Lanes with the Home-maker's League for many years, also with the Senior's League. She was a member of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch No. 81, and Ladies Auxiliary. Irene was predeceased by her son Wayne in 1982; her husband Ed in 1994; her brother Leslie Sherwood in 1994; and her sister Willa Wells in 1997. She leaves to mourn her passing son Roy Johnston and grandchildren, Alie, Nora, Claire and Eric; daughter Fay Dreyer (Christiaan) and grandchildren, Lisa, Heather and Kelly; daughter Jill McKenzie and grandchildren, Erin and Colin; and daughter Lynn Gibson (Dale) and grandchildren, Nikola, Eddie and George. She also leaves her life-long friend Dorothy Greer (nee Roberts), and her many friends at the Summerland Apartments who brought her hours of joy during their times together in the block and at the casinos. Thank you to all her well-wishers, her home-care workers over the last months, and to the caring staff of the Riverview Health Centre, ward 3-East during her last days. Interment and a family service will be held at Green Acres Funeral Home and Cemetery. A gathering of family and friends will take place at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 20, in the coffee room of Summerland Apartments, 77 University Crescent. We are all God's Children, from the morning hour of birth. He lets us live and laugh and love and have our time on earth. He guards us through the afternoon, till sunset rays are cast. Then one by one with gentle words, he calls us home at last. We love you Mum.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 17, 2006