MARY FRANCES JOHNSTON

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MARY FRANCES JOHNSTON On June 3, 2013 at the Boyne Lodge in Carman, Manitoba, our beautiful Mother, Mary Frances Johnston (nee Handlon), surrounded by her adoring children, passed away peacefully. Mom was born on March 1, 1916 in Chicago, Illinois. Her family immigrated to Canada when she was four years old and settled in Kane, Manitoba. Her father, James Handlon, had decided to change his career as a Police Officer in Chicago, during the Al Capone era, for life as a rural farmer in Manitoba. She attended school in Myrtle and Morris, Manitoba, and went on to attain her Registered Nursing designation from the St. Boniface School of Nursing and proceeded to nurse in both Manitoba and Duluth, Minnesota. Mom married Dad, William Allen Johnston, in 1943. At age 54, after a break to raise her fabulous children, Sheila, Bill, Joanne and Geri, Mom updated her nursing accreditation. At 55 she went back to work at the Carman Boyne Lodge, where she retired at age 65. Mom was a formidable Scrabble opponent right to the very end - she was lovingly referred to as the Scrabble Queen in our family. The last nine years of Mom's life were spent surrounded by her wonderful friends and acquaintances at the Boyne Towers, and in the company of her very special friend Muriel Doerksen. Recent health issues saw Mom moving to the Boyne Lodge in February of this year, where she was lovingly tended to by the Lodge Staff on the 2nd Floor. Special thanks to her "special bright light" nurse Pearla, and all the staff on the main floor for making Mom's final days so comfortable for her and her children. Per Mother's request, a small family graveside ceremony was held. As she often relied on the services of the Handi-Van, anyone wishing to send flowers are asked to instead make a donation to the Carman Handi-Van in Mom's Honour. A Mother's hug lasts long after she lets go. - Author Unknown Doyle's Funeral Home in care of arrangements. www.doylesfuneralchapel.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 08, 2013