SHYRL MARGARET JOHNSON

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SHYRL MARGARET JOHNSON Shyrl Margaret Johnson (nee Slywka) passed away on April 2, 2017, in her Santa Barbara, CA home after a courageous battle with cancer. Shyrl was born in 1947 in Gimli, MB, daughter of Steve and Emily. Left to cherish her memory are her husband Brian; son Jeff in Charlottesville, VA; son Jason, daughter-in-law Nataly, and granddaughter Stella in San Francisco, CA; and sisters Mabel and Lil in Winnipeg. Shyrl was predeceased by her mother and father, and her beloved brother Peter Stone / Slywka. Shyrl grew up in Gimli and was raised in a small home near the shores of Lake Winnipeg. Her Irish mother, a product of the Depression, was industrious, hard-working and thrifty. Shyrl often recalled the harsh winters of her youth, but fondly remembered lakeside picnics in the summer, sitting alongside her mom and siblings eating sandwiches under the cool shade of the poplar trees. Many of Shyrl's closest childhood friends were from Gimli's Icelandic community, and throughout the years she returned during the summer to enjoy the Icelandic Festival with old friends. Shyrl and Brian met in Winnipeg in 1967 and were married on December 20, 1968. They enjoyed almost 50 years together. They moved numerous times within and between Canada and the U.S. with Shyrl making homes for the family "wherever Mobil Oil sent us". Shyrl made great friends wherever she lived - in Winnipeg, Calgary, Swift Current, Fairfield, Oakville, Westport and Falls Church. In 1988, Shyrl bravely went back to school and in 1991, she graduated with a B.A. in Sociology from Fairfield University in Connecticut. Shyrl and Brian were fortunate to be offered a final move to California, buying a house in Santa Barbara in 1998. Early retirement allowed them to travel extensively and see many parts of the world including Belize, Australia, New Zealand, Egypt, China, Tahiti, Ireland, Greece, Norway, an adventurous trip she took with her sister Lil to Costa Rica, and a self-guided river boat trip through northern France with dear friends. Summer vacations on the lake in Gimli and winter retreats to Palm Desert with their cherished "snowbird" friends became a routine. Throughout her life Shyrl enjoyed sharing her extraordinary garden and knowledge of plants with visiting family and friends. Her other passions included sunset walks with her two boys at Arroyo Burro "Hendry's" beach in Santa Barbara, dancing to Buddy Holly with the love of her life Brian, photography, tennis, and games of Scrabble with her mom, sisters, husband and children. She loved sun bathing, eating Lake Winnipeg pickerel and perogies with sour cream, and driving in her convertible singing along to Elvis, Roy Orbison and Willie Nelson. Shyrl, we know how hard you fought and we are glad you are at peace and no longer suffering. You will always be in our hearts and thoughts. Special thanks to the wonderful team from Visiting Nurse and Hospice who made Shyrl's last days at home comfortable and saw her journey into the afterlife with compassion and dignity. Also, thank you to Doctors Wright and Greenwald and staffs for their special care and support in her fight with cancer. In accordance with her wishes, no formal service will be held. Cremation has occurred and as Shyrl requested, her ashes will be placed "somewhere warm". Family and friends are planning an informal celebration and toast to Shyrl's life this summer in Gimli. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Shyrl's honour to the American Cancer Society, or the Visiting Nurse and Hospice Care, Santa Barbara.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 08, 2017