THOREY STEFANIA JOHNSON

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

THOREY STEFANIA JOHNSON It was with great love and affection and innumerable fond memories that the family of Thorey Stefania Johnson (nee Henrikson) announce her peaceful passing on January 11. After 90 full years of living, in the company and support of two young friends, Mom got her wish to go home'. She was predeceased by her husband Dr. Olie (Eyjolfur Johnson) and her Mom and Dad, Clara and Ruffie Hinrikson. Thorey lived life passionately, was greatly involved in community and completely devoted to family. Mom was blessed with six daughters; Alexandra (John), Paula (Lindsey), Judith (Leonard), Linda, Jennifer (Orest) and Susan (Mike). She had a very large extended family whom she loved completely. Thorey grew up in Selkirk, Manitoba where she lived her entire life. She practiced as a nurse in Selkirk where she met her husband Dr. Olie. Thorey and Olie began their home and family in the house they built and quickly filled it with children! Favorite family vacation spots included Clear Lake and Banff with one newsworthy trip to the east coast by car. Although Thorey was busy raising her daughters, she resumed her studies and completed her nursing exams and worked as an RN in Selkirk General Hospital for over 40 years! She enjoyed work in the OR, maternity, ER and lastly as a supervisor. After retirement she needed to be kept busy and was very involved in volunteering in a variety of activities, most notably the Selkirk Arts Centre. Thorey was also an active member of the Selkirk Lutheran Church and PEO. Throughout her life, she touched people with her compassion, made people laugh with her sense of humor, supported family and friends through dark times and could always be relied upon to go for a cup of coffee'. She was a wonderful big sister (and younger sister) to Harold, Lillian, Paul (Bud), Dorothy May and Claire (Betty Lou) as well a caring sister-in-law to Margurite, Carl, Harry, Margret and Ed. Thorey was a good friend and had many nursing buddies who could party with the best of them. She loved to travel and amazed people with her youthful enthusiasm as she took on scuba diving, partied in Nashville, sunned in Hawaii in her 60's and 70's. Her nieces and nephews, grandchildren all have funny stories to tell about their Auntie and Amma and loved to spend time at her house. She was someone who could be counted on for support. Thorey made knitting an art form and was also famous for her crochet and needle work skills. She had enough wool to open up her own shop. Perhaps more than yarn, Mom loved clothes which she wore with style and panache after shopping in one of her favorite clothing stores in Selkirk. She loved trendy shoes, bags and jewelry. And Thorey especially loved being mistaken for being younger than her years. Her life was full of a thousand joys and a thousand sorrows and although it was an arduous journey at the end, she had the wonderful support of many angels to help her through. She would be proud of the work the girls' (health care aides and nurses) did in taking care of her and Thorey would be pleased that the doctors had continued with their respect toward her from their prior relationship as her colleague. All who knew Thorey will have their own collection of humorous anecdotes, and joyous memories of her, wit, candor and adventurous spirit to comfort them as they mourn her loss. She will be fondly remembered and sadly missed by all. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Thorey Johnson Nursing Scholarship, Red River College, The Selkirk Arts Centre, and The Selkirk Evangelical Lutheran Church. The funeral will be held on Friday, January 16 at 2:00 p.m. at the Lutheran Church on the corner of Clandeboye and Jemima in Selkirk.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 14, 2009