EDITH MARY JOHNSON (SPENCE)

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EDITH MARY JOHNSON (nee SPENCE) Peacefully, with family by her side, Edith Mary Johnson (nee Spence), passed away at the Selkirk General Hospital at the age of 80 on January 9, 2009. She will be lovingly remembered by son Larry (Noreen) of Medicine Hat, AB, daughter Patricia (David) Zdrill of West St. Paul, MB, and daughter Kathleen (Dan) Dahlin of Selkirk, MB, grandchildren Lorelei and Eric Johnson, Jeremy and Laura Beth Zdrill and Zackary and Benjamin Dahlin. Edith is survived by her family, brothers Bernard (Mary) of Timmins, ON, Clifford (Pierrette) of Iroquois Falls, ON, Edward (Rita) of Ste. Julie, PQ, sister Evelyn Samms of Kitchener, ON, sisters-in-law Jean Spence of Burlington, ON and Norma Butler of Nellie Lake, ON. She is also survived by in-laws Elma (Charlie) Cheyne, of Teulon, MB, Lenny (Margaret) of Riverton, MB, Melvin (Angela) of Mississauga, ON, Clifford (Barbara) of Victoria, BC, Arlene (Brian) Robins of Rivers, MB, and Donald (Fran) of New Westminster, BC. She was predeceased by her husband Laurence, parents Bernard and Freda of Iroquois Falls, parents-in-law Einar and Capitola of Riverton, step-mother-in-law Stina Johnson of Riverton, brothers Maurice of Burlington and George of Iroquois Falls, sister and brother-in-law Jean and Bill Turner of Iroquois Falls. Edith was born October 16, 1928 in Ansonville (later known as Iroquois Falls), Ontario. She was raised and educated there, before attending Registered Nurses training at St. Mary's Hospital in Timmins. During this time, she developed many special friendships that were to continue throughout her life. In September 1953, Edith married her soul mate, Laurence (Larry) Johnson in her home town. They started their life together in Timmins, where Larry and Patsy were born. They resided in Elliot Lake for a brief time, before moving to Manitoba in 1961. In Manitoba, they lived in Arborg, Riverton and finally settled in Selkirk in 1970. Kathy was born during their time in Arborg. During her career, Edith was employed in various nursing positions. In Ontario, she worked in Timmins, Smooth Rock Falls and Elliot Lake, primarily as a Maternity and Operating Room nurse. In Manitoba, she worked at the Arborg Hospital, as a public health nurse with the Stonewall Health Unit and ended her career at the Betel Home Foundation in Selkirk, where she was a head nurse for 18 years. Edith enjoyed her retirement years, as she and Larry enriched their lives with travel and spending time with their family and friends. She supported and became involved with many of Larry's volunteer and Icelandic community activities. For a girl with an entirely British Isles background, she became very Icelandic by marriage. She could make vinarterta better than most Icelandic Canadians and was proud to be awarded an Honorary Lifetime Membership in the Icelandic National League of North America. As well, she enjoyed volunteering at the Selkirk and District Music Festivals. Their travels brought her much enjoyment, and she often talked about their trips to Hawaii, Australia, New Zealand, Iceland and across Canada and the United States. Larry and Edith were well-known throughout Manitoba's Interlake as regular attendees of Old Time dances and their dancing ability was legendary. They were even featured dancing to the Gimli Waltz in an episode of the TV program Cross-Country Canada . Edith was very proud of her family and all their accomplishments, and her grandchildren were an integral part of her life. In May 2001, after almost 48 years of marriage, Larry passed away suddenly. Edith's life was then filled with many changes, all of which she faced with great courage and dignity. In October 2002, Edith moved to Gimli, MB were she enjoyed six years of friendship and fellowship at the Waterfront Centre. Shortly before her passing, she moved to Red River Place Personal Care Home in Selkirk. Edith was a long-time diabetic and in her later years, with the help and support of her children and very caring extended family and friends, she faced and fought many additional health challenges. In Edith's memory, in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Canadian Diabetes Association or a charity of your choice. Respecting Mom's wishes, cremation has taken place. Honorary pallbearers will be her grandchildren. A summer interment will take place and Mom's ashes will rest with Dad's in Selkirk. A memorial service will be held on Thursday, January 15, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. at Notre Dame Catholic Church, 269 Jemima Street, Selkirk, MB. NEIL BARDAL INC. 949-2200 nbardal.mb.ca

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 13, 2009