Joyce JOHNSON

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JOHNSON: Joyce Lorraine Johnson (nee Hamilton) April 11, 1929 – April 16, 2011. It is with great sadness that the family of Joyce Johnson announces her peaceful passing while in the Palliative Care Suite at Riverdale Health Centre in Rivers. Joyce grew up on a farm in the Hawkins District west of Glenboro. She excelled as a student and graduated from high school at the young age of 15. From there, she continued her studies at the University of Manitoba where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree (majoring in Mathematics) followed by a Diploma in Education. At 20, she began her teaching career at Elkhorn High School. It was in Elkhorn that she met her future husband Bob (R.D.) Johnson. She also taught in Hamiota, Rivers, and Kenton. Joyce and Bob raised their family of four children on their farm in the Harding area. She was well known throughout the region as a teacher and as a committed community volunteer. She was active in all aspects of community life. In Rivers, she volunteered as treasurer for Rivers United Church for 10 years and as UCW treasurer for another 10 years, handing over those books in November 2010. She served a term as president of the Rivers Legion Ladies Auxiliary and was an active member of the Riverdale Hospital Auxiliary. She was a founding member of the Rivers Health Action and the Rivers Handivan committees. She was also very active in the Women’s Institute (WI) at the local, regional, and provincial levels. She served on the executive of Manitoba WI, including one term as president of the provincial body and one term as Manitoba Executive Officer to the national board. She attended conferences across Canada and meetings of the Associated Country Women of the World in Kansas City, USA; Birmingham, England; The Hague, Netherlands; and Christchurch, New Zealand. She served a term as WI representative on the board of the Manitoba Agricultural Hall of Fame. Joyce and Bob moved from the farm to Rivers in 1985. In the ensuing years, they travelled the continent in their motorhome and also journeyed to Bermuda, Australia, and New Zealand. They enjoyed square and old time dancing for many years until Bob began to experience ill health. Thanks to Joyce’s loving care and adherence to a strict diet, Bob was kept off dialysis for a number of years despite his deteriorating condition. The two celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on August 23, 2002. Over the last ten years, Joyce had to deal with a number of debilitating health issues. Despite her determination to overcome these conditions, her body did not have the strength. Joyce is survived by her children Joanne Johnson of White Rock, B.C.; David Johnson (Connie) of Brandon; Dianne Kowalchuk (Greg) of Rivers; and Wanda Strachan (Brent) of Hamiota. She is also survived by her grandchildren Sheldon Strachan (Chrystal); Melody Stewart (Charles); Katie Findlater (Will); Candace Kowalchuk, Amanda Kowalchuk, Rob Johnson and Brittany Johnson, as well as two great grandchildren, Alec Strachan and Nathan Stewart. Joyce is also survived by siblings Mervyn Hamilton, Jack Hamilton (Eleanor), Betty Jobbins (Doug), Janice Stephens, Rae Hamilton (Glen), and Dwayne Hamilton (Lorna). Joyce was predeceased by her loving husband Bob who died in 2003; her parents James and Lizzie Hamilton; her sister Isobel Fairgrieve; and brothers-in-law Bruce Fairgrieve and Richard Stephens. A Celebration of Life in her honour was held Wednesday, April 20, 2011, in Rivers United Church with Rev. Glenna Beauchamp officiating. Interment was at Greenwood Cemetery in the RM of Woodworth. Pallbearers were: Brent Strachan, Greg Kowalchuk, Sheldon Strachan, Rob Johnson, Charles Stewart, and Will Findlater. Joyce will never be forgotten. She will always be missed and forever loved.

As published in Brandon Sun on May 14, 2011