Florence JOHNSTON

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JOHNSTON: Florence (nee Boyd, formerly McLennan) Johnston. With sadness, but with the sense of a full and long life complete, the family announces the passing of our beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and aunt, peacefully at her residence, Valleyview Care Centre, on Monday, April 27, 2015, at the age of 95 years. Flo was born on the family farm south of Brandon on January 24, 1920, the third of four children born to William and Sarah Boyd. She grew up on the farm attending Cornwallis school and continued to live there after marrying John (Jack) McLennan in 1942. While living on the farm, their three children, Andrew, Colin, and Sandra, were born. After Jack's sudden death in 1962, Flo moved the family into Brandon where she resided the remainder of her life. Knowing that she was now the sole provider for her family, she made the brave choice to return to school at MIT in Winnipeg (now Red River College) to obtain her LPN diploma, while commuting home to Brandon on weekends. After graduation, Flo worked on A2 at the Assiniboine Centre until her retirement in 1985. In her "retirement" years, she spent many hours caring for and loving her grandchildren. She was so proud of them! Flo was happy to find another life partner when she met widower Tom Johnston from Griswold, Manitoba. They married in 1967. She and Tom worked together for many hours on Tom's farm at Griswold while continuing to live and work in Brandon. Flo was a down to earth person who was never afraid of hard work, faced life's challenges head on and kept moving forward. During their 28 years together, Tom and Flo were able to enjoy a few trips with the highlight being the one to the Holy Land. After Tom's death in 1996, Flo moved from the house on 4th Street to a suite and finally to Valleyview in 2011, when decreasing mobility and independence necessitated the move and where she received compassionate TLC for the past 3 1/2 years. Flo loved her family and would do anything for them. She never hesitated to join a family gathering and especially enjoyed hopping in her little blue car to come out when pizza was on order! Well into her 80's she was still making a complete roast beef dinner weekly for family. It was to her great disappointment and sadness when she gave up driving at the age of 91 and could no longer pick up her friends for church. For many years, she looked forward to walking over to McDonald's in the evening for coffee with friends and neighbours. Flo also had a great love for her church "family" at Bethel Christian Assembly where she was a lifelong member and tireless supporter. She spent countless hours over the years involved in activities and volunteering in various capacities within Bethel. It was her strong faith in God that held her up and never wavered through many difficult times including the death of Jack, Tom, and her sons. Flo is survived by daughter Sandra (Barry) Chernos, step-daughter Judy Curtis and her family as well as grandchildren and great grandchildren Brett Chernos, Courtney Chernos, Rachel McLennan-Sakagami and family, Cameron McLennan and Mark (Liane) Johnston; Jae, Brenna and Gracie. Mark's mother Janet Loewen, nieces, nephews and extended family also remain. She was predeceased by her parents, husbands Jack McLennan and Tom Johnston, sons Colin McLennan (1975), Andy McLennan (1983) and step-son Stan Johnston (2008). She was also predeceased by sister Aileen Hassan, brother and sister-in-law Stewart (Stella) Boyd and sister and brother-in-law Mel (Doug) Shepherd. In keeping with Flo's strong Christian faith she has lived an honorable life, fought a good fight and finished the race. She can hear clearly now, is free of arthritis and pain, clear of mind and safe in the arms of Jesus. A memorial service preceded by a private interment attended by family at Rosewood Memorial Gardens was held on May 4, 2015 at Memories Chapel with Pastor Mike Davis of Bethel Christian Assembly officiating. Pallbearers were: Barry Chernos, Brett Chernos, Mark Johnston, Bruce Preston, Albert Krahn and Dale Colquhoun. All others in attendance were considered honourary pallbearers.Psalm 23:4&6"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil...... I will dwell in the house of the lord forever."The family would like to thank Pastor Mike Davis who officiated the service, Eulogist Pastor Charles Remple, Organist Marilyn Phillips, Hymn leader Phil Price for his special touch, Kerrie Gibbs for the beautiful solo and all the pallbearers. Also thank you to Vern Schneider and staff at Memories Chapel for their caring direction with planning and conducting the celebration of Flo's Life. Thank you to all who attended the service and shared personal memories as well as to those who conveyed messages of sympathy, sent cards, food, flowers, other tributes and memorial donations. A very special thank you to the staff at Valleyview Care Centre and Dr. Caplan for the kind, patient, compassionate care given to Flo while she was a resident. Expressions of sympathy may be made at www.memorieschapel.com.

As published in Brandon Sun on May 09, 2015