MARGARET JOHNSTON

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MARGARET JOHNSTON On Saturday, July 16, 2016, with family by her side, Margaret Littlejohn Johnston passed away peacefully at Tuxedo Villa. Margaret enjoyed a long and varied life. Born on November 26, 1921 on the farm in North Plain, Saskatchewan, she was the youngest of the six children of Alex and Margaret Colven!pioneer homesteaders (1903) from Edinburgh, Scotland. She spent her early years on the farm where, like many others, the family struggled through the Depression with courage and community solidarity. At 16, Margaret moved into Regina to attend Balfour Tech. While there, she studied art under the Canadian artist Garnet Hazard. Those were her most formative years, as throughout the rest of her life she applied her considerable artistic talent of design, symmetry and beauty to every facet of her being from the way she dressed to how she decorated her homes and gardens. (As well, she also maintained a close relationship with Hazard and his family until his death.) Margaret was also blessed in that she married the love of her life H. Allan Johnston in 1952. After they settled into 53 Fidler, Margaret expanded her energies to include many years of dedicated volunteer work, especially for the NDP. Politics was in her blood. Her father and mother had been active supporters of what was then the CCF in rural Saskatchewan, and that early exposure to politics sparked a lifelong passion. (In fact, the great sadness of this year is that she has not been able to "enjoy" the full spectacle of the 2016 US presidential race!) Margaret, a perfectionist always, excelled at everything from a simple flower arrangement to a meal presentation. She left an impact on anyone who met her with her sharp intellect, strong (some would say - opinionated) world views, and her wicked sense of humour. Indeed, she was a formidable presence and has left her daughter, grandchildren and great-grandchildren with a legacy of enduring images: beautiful, intelligent, fashionable, artistic, impeccable taste, generous, loving, thoughtful, elegant, manners, crabapple jelly, picnics, red lipstick, tea and cookies, Christmas dinners, classical music, CBC, Chinese and Japanese art, chocolates, fries and onion rings, hockey, and her favorite Toronto Blue Jays.... Margaret was a selfless mother and a dedicated grandmother and her care of Allan after he came down with Parkinson's fully displayed her Scottish grit in difficult circumstances. Allan spent the final four years of his life in Deer Lodge and Margaret, through summers and winters, missed nary a day caring for his many needs. Allan's death in 2004 affected her more deeply than any of us could imagine. But, still strong with that prairie backbone, she managed to live an independent life for several more years in the Courts of St. James. Most tragically, even though she enjoyed excellent physical health, Margaret's mental capacity began to decline with Lewy Body Dementia and in December 2013 she moved to Tuxedo Villa. Besides Allan and her parents, Margaret was predeceased by four siblings: Jessie, Jack, May, and Helena; her son-inlaw Ian Rafuse, and by her cherished grand pup Willie. She will be forever missed by her only child, Dolores Fonseca Haggarty and five grandchildren: Jeremy Rafuse, Elena (Neil) Williams, Jennifer Rafuse, Christopher (Joanne Pindera), and Diana (Gregg) Wilkinson and their families. She is also survived by her other treasured grand pup Charlie, and her namesake ! a little rescue dog named Maggie. Her most beloved sister Jean Mayfield of Los Angeles also survives Margaret, as well as many nieces and nephews and their extended families. The family would like to sincerely thank the staff of Unit One Tuxedo Villa for their tender care of Margaret during the past two and one half years. Words can't express our full appreciation. As requested, there will be no service. Margaret has been cremated and at a later time she will join her dearest Allan in St. John's Cathedral Cemetery. If desired, donations can be sent to Ronald McDonald House. Arrangements entrusted to Neil Bardal Funeral Centre, nbardal.mb.ca Rest in peace forever, ma mére

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 30, 2016