GAIL ALICE JOHNSON (RICHARDSON)

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GAIL ALICE JOHNSON (nee RICHARDSON) After a lengthy and determined nine year battle with leukemia, Gail passed away peacefully on January 30, 2003 at Rock Lake Hospital with her family at her side. Gail was born in Clearwater on March 7, 1939. Three years later, in 1942, she moved to Winnipeg with her family. During her childhood years in Winnipeg, she attended three schools; Gladstone, Kelvin and Tec-Voc. With both parents working to support a family of five, Gail helped to keep the household running smoothly by looking after her two younger sisters and brother, cooking, or doing house work. During her high school years, she worked part time at the Dutch Maid which was not far from their home on Gertrude Avenue. It was while working at the Dutch Maid that she first met Casey Johnson, the man she would later marry. After graduating from high school, Gail worked at CN Rail as a secretary. After a short courtship, Gail married Casey on October 22, 1960. This led her back to her birthplace of Clearwater and to life on a farm. For two years they lived in a small house trailer on Caseys parents farm north of Clearwater. In 1963 they purchased their own farm and lived there until they moved into town in 1991. Gail was an active member of the community and enjoyed being involved with the curling club, church, and ladies softball team. She loved to garden, cook and spoil the grandchildren when they came to visit. She had a knack for housekeeping and really treasured the time she spent in her home. Although Gail preferred home life, she and Casey did manager to take several vacations before illness made travel impossible for her. They holidayed together in Mexico, Hawaii, the Bahamas, Arizona, and the west coast of the U.S. Gail always enjoyed the warmth of the sun and these destinations suited her perfectly. Family gatherings were always a source of enjoyment for her, especially when many of her family would come to Clearwater for the annual baseball tournament on July 1. Gail was predeceased by her parents, Charlie and Charlotte Richardson. She is survived by her husband Casey; son Blaine (Jackie) and their children, Nick, Erin, and Kailey of Clearwater; son David (Brenda) and their children, Hayden and Avery of Clearwater; daughter Lynne (Allan Wallis) of St. Andrews. She is also survived by her brother Jim (Bev) and family of Winnipeg; brother Brian (Dot) and family of Selkirk; brother Mel (Pat) and family of St. Catherines, ON; sister Marilyn (Murray Huff) and family of Fort Saskatchewan, AB; sister Sandra (Don Briscoe) and family of Dugald; and brother-in-law John Johnson (Louise) and family of Clearwater. In keeping with Gails wishes, she was cremated and the funeral service was held at St. Pauls Anglican Church in Clearwater. Interment followed at the Clearwater Cemetery. The Rev. Alvin Jacobs presided over both the service and interment. The family would like to thank the doctors, nurses and staff who cared for her at the Rock Lake Hospital and also the Home Care workers who cared for Gail when she was able to be at home.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 22, 2003