MARJORIE ANNE JOHNSTON (CHISHOLM) -

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MARJORIE ANNE JOHNSTON (nee CHISHOLM) 1919 - 2008 Marjorie Anne Johnston (nee Chisholm) CM (1919-2008), died peacefully at her home on October 18, 2008. Predeceased by her beloved husband Arthur, survived by her children Bill (Ann), Trish Simmie (Peter), and David (Diane), and six grandchildren, Nick Johnston, Elizabeth Simmie Combeer (Andrew), Kate and Martha Simmie, Matt and Will Johnston. Marj was predeceased by her brother Doug and sister Joan and is survived by her sister-in-laws Frankie Johnston and Nancy Chisholm and many relatives and friends around the world. Marj was a spirit from the day she was born! She was raised in Winnipeg and attended Rupertsland School. After her Father died when she was 16, she used her dance training to support herself, at 18 going to New York on her own to teach and dance at the World's Fair. Returning to Winnipeg she taught many of the city's young men how to dance. Marj married Arthur in 1941, who she met at Pine Ridge Golf Club, and spent the war years moving from Winnipeg to Victoria, then to Halifax. While Art was at sea, Marj drove ambulances during the day and passed her spare time playing craps at night, eventually winning enough money to buy a car. After the war Marj and Art returned to Winnipeg and they were Winnipeg boosters to the end of their days. Marj's volunteer involvement was incredible. As a young bride she served as Commissioner for the Girl Guides and then joined the Junior League of Winnipeg where she served as President and that led to opportunities to help develop public and seniors housing, children's theatre, Age and Opportunity Bureau and others. Marj served many years on the Manitoba Theatre Center's Board where she was President and active in the fundraising required to develop the new theatre building as part of the Province's Centennial campaign. This lead to six years spent as a member of the Canada Council, where she had the opportunity to visit every corner of the country. Marj's commitment to the city touched all facets of the arts, politics, church, sports and community. In 1979 Marj was honoured with the Order of Canada for her work in the arts and the community. She was also the recipient of the Queen's Jubilee Medal and the Canada 125 Medal. Marj and Art were enthusiastic curlers at the Winnipeg Winter Club and had many bonspiel adventures over the years. But golf was the sport that became the main focus of their lives, both playing at St Charles, and with Art's increasing involvement in the RCGA, the purpose of summer vacations for many years. When not on the golf course summer days were spent at Matlock. Over the years family dinners lasted long into the evening while the lingering Manitoba sunset faded; politics (Liberal of course) was a common theme. In latter years the winter months were spent in Hawaii and Palm Desert with many of their family and friends. Marj loved to entertain and whether it was a theme, Christmas night, to celebrate a birthday or simply a drink after a meeting, Yale Ave. was always open. A very special thank you to Shirley Slobodzian, Syd Berquist, and Delys MacIntosh who showed our mother tremendous friendship and compassion over the last years. A celebration of Marj's life will be held at St Luke's Church, Stradbrooke and Nassau, Winnipeg, where Marj was both baptized and married, on Thursday, October 30 at 4:30, followed by another celebration party at Yale. If you wish to make a gesture in remembrance of Marjorie, in lieu of flowers donations to St. Luke's Church Building Fund, 130 Nassau Street N., Winnipeg, MB., R3L 2H1, would be appreciated. Marj your zest for life will always be with us! THOMSON FUNERAL HOME 669 BROADWAY, WINNIPEG, MB R3C OX4 783-7211 Send expressions of sympathy at www.mem.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Oct 30, 2008