MILDRED JOHNSTON

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MILDRED JOHNSTON It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Mildred Agnes Jane Johnston (Waddell), on January 14, 2006, at the Selkirk General Hospital. Mildred was born in Strathclair, MB on April 16, 1920 in the same home as her mother 30 years before. She spent her childhood near Gilbert Plains on a farm and in Lockport, MB on a market garden. In 1941, she joined the Canadian Women's Army Corps, and received her basic training at Ste. Anne de Bellevue, QC. She returned to Winnipeg as a driver of Medical and Staff Officers. While on duty at Fort Osborne Barracks, she met a tall handsome soldier by the name of Stanley. They were married on June 6, 1942, and were the first man and woman in the Canadian Army to marry. They celebrated over 60 years of marriage and raised nine children at their home in St Andrews. Mildred was very active in church and community affairs: Women's Missionary Society, Ladies Aid, United Church Women (local and Selkirk Presbyterial co-chairperson 1971/72). She was a Sunday school teacher, a Lay Leader for her church's pastoral charge (taking the Sunday service for a number of years), a volunteer organizer of church dinners and wedding receptions, and a long-standing member of the NDP. At age 50, she returned to school to become a business accountant and afterwards worked for the Manitoba and Western Canada Lotteries for eleven years. After retirement, she became a member of the Selkirk Chapter #35 Order of The Eastern Star, and held office each year but one. She visited chapters in Winnipeg and throughout the province, enjoying many new friendships. Over the past few years, Mildred remained active in as many of her endeavors as possible. Her friends, her church (Little Britain United Church) and the Eastern Star were all a big part of her life, but her family remained the most important. Her children were scattered across the country in Winnipeg, Calgary, Edmonton, Vancouver and Ottawa. She loved to be with them whenever possible, and surrounded by the chaotic sound of grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Mildred was predeceased by her husband, Stanley Hugh Johnston (2002); parents, William and Jane Waddell; her brothers, James A. Waddell, W. Campbell Waddell; and three children, Heather (1955), William (1964), and Dorothy (1989). She leaves to mourn her loving children, Wilfrid (Jacqueline), Carolyn, Valorie, Raymond, Chenoa, Patrick (Donna) and Charles (Sarah); 18 grandchildren, Heather (Mike), Shaunavon, Rika, Rian, Darryl (Michelle), Stefan (Mary), Christine (Kevin), Terri-Lynne, Jeffrey, Nikolas, Seah, Crystal, Alexander, Nathaniel, Sachelle, Corbin, Maslen, Patrick; eight great-grandchildren (with a ninth on the way!): Emily, Marc, Katrina, Daniel, Joshua, Starr, Isabelle and Emma; and many cousins, nieces, nephews and enough Stars to brighten her sky. Although Mildred accomplished many things in her life, she will be remembered as much for the extraordinary person she was as for the things that she did. To celebrate her amazing life, a memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m, on January 21, 2006, at Gilbart's Funeral Home, 309 Eveline Avenue, Selkirk. (Note: hats are optional but most definitely encouraged!) A luncheon will follow at the Selkirk Friendship Centre, 425 Eveline Avenue. Many, many thanks from the family to Dr. Antonenko and the nursing staff of the Selkirk General Hospital for taking such loving care of Mother. In lieu of flowers, donations in Mildred's name can be made to Our Daily Soup Kitchen, the Little Britain United Church, or CancerCare Manitoba. Don't grieve for me; from pain I'm free. I'm following the path God has laid for me. My life's been full; I've savored much. Good family, Good times, Good friends. And a loved one's touch. Perhaps my time seemed all too brief, Don't lengthen it now with undue grief. Lift up your hearts and peace be to thee. God wanted me now; from pain I am free.

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As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 19, 2006