PAMELA JOAN JOHNSTON (BOHUN)

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PAMELA JOAN JOHNSTON (nee BOHUN) April 20, 1967 June 17, 2007 It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our dearest Pamela. Pam lost her lengthy and courageous battle with Breast Cancer on Sunday, June 17, 2007, at the young age of 40, surrounded by her loving family and close friends in her home near Beausejour, MB. Pam leaves to cherish her memory her loving husband Gord; her precious three year old daughter Chamonix; her parents, Jim and Beverly Bohun; her sisters, Charlene (Ed) and Jamie (Brian); her nephews, Michael, Tyler and Bret; her grandparents, Kay and Archie Gates, and many numerous relatives and close friends. Pam was born in Vancouver and grew up in beautiful Princeton, BC. She received her diploma in Early Childhood Education at Capillano College in Vancouver. One of Pam's greatest passions was being a preschool teacher and will be fondly remembered by many former toddlers as Teacher Pam. Pam loved sporting and outdoor activities and excelled in many. She was an accomplished figure skater, baseball and slow pitch player. She also loved snowmobiling and skiing and always prided herself with being the ultimate BC mountain girl. Pam loved to travel and enjoyed many trips to Europe and the Caribbean. She was an avid sunseeker and loved any excuse to buy a new bikini. Pam also had a great love of music and taught herself to play the guitar and loved to write and sing all her own songs. While Pam struggled with her original diagnosis with Breast Cancer in 2001, she was at a crossroad with what to do with the rest of her possibly shortened life. Her answer came in September 2002 when she met her husband-to-be, Gord Johnston, in Winnipeg. They fell quickly and deeply in love, and within months they were married and Pam was moving to Manitoba. Pam's greatest joy arrived on May 5, 2004, Pam's little miracle she named Chamonix (pronounced sha-mo-nee) after a beautiful ski village and mountain she fell in love with while in France. Pam was the ultimate new mom and had never felt so much love and joy in her life. Tragically, she was re-diagnosed that July with a re-occurrence of her breast cancer that had already spread. The doctors determined a prognosis of between one and two years, but in true Pam fashion she was determined to prove them wrong. Her battle was long and immeasurably hard but her great love for Chamonix kept her fighting for every minute she could get. Her experiences with Chamonix gave her so much strength and courage to carry on. She set so many things in motion for Chamonix's future that she will have a hand in for years to come. Pam also put energy towards comforting her friends and family and made several lengthy trips back to British Columbia to share her time and love with them. She was always concerned how her illness was affecting those closest around her. Pam's involvement with many of the Breast Cancer Walks was also an incredible show of strength. At times when the chemo and disease were so draining, she forged ahead. She said, I'm doing this so one day my daughter will never have to face this terrible disease. Pam really was a free spirit and a force in so many people's lives, a truly beautiful soul. Most people were instantly endeared to her the moment they met her. Throughout her almost six year battle with cancer she amazed everyone by fighting the disease on her terms and living life her way. She often said, I'm not dying of cancer, I'm living with it. Her remarkable attitude inspired so many people to rethink their seemingly big problems into the minute ones they really were. Pam has left all whom she touched with a piece of her soul and made us better people by just knowing her. We love you Pam. You will be deeply missed. The family wishes to thank Dr. Garth Campbell, Palliative Care nurse Cheryl Smith and homecare nurse Joan Litke for providing Pam with excellent and compassionate care. A celebration of Pam's life was held on Wednesday, June 20 at beautiful Greatwoods Park near Beausejour. Another celebration will be held on July 8 in Langley, BC, for her friends and family there. Thanks go out to Dianna Fosty for presiding over the celebration at Greatwoods Park. A very special thanks go out to Pam's close friends: Karen MacDonald and Ron Modjeski, Pat Palaniuk and Greg Penny, Danny and Kathy Steffes, Paula and Kevin Murray, Arlene Schick, Gord's family, Gord's M.T.S. family and all in attendance who made it a wonderful day that Pam truly would have loved. Donations can be made in Pam's memory to: Chamonix Johnston's Education Trust Fund at the Royal Bank in Beausejour. SOBERING FUNERAL CHAPEL CREMATORIUM, Beausejour 268-3510 or MB Toll Free 1-877-776-2220

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 06, 2007