DONNA GRACE JOHNSON

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DONNA GRACE JOHNSON On the evening of Wednesday, July 22, Donna's journey on this earth ended peacefully with Stu, the love of her life, by her side. Many people; family, friends, former students and people she met in her travels all over the world, have been saddened by her passing. You could not know Donna and not be touched by her kindness, be soothed by her gentle spirit or be affected by her infectious smile. We have lost a truly remarkable lady. Donna was born in Crandall Manitoba, the oldest of four daughters of Grace and Donald Douglas. She attended public school in Crandall and received her Bachelor of Education degree from the University of Manitoba. She always wanted to be a teacher and began her teaching career during the war when she was only 16 years old. In total her teaching career spanned a 42 year period stretching from Justice to Glenora, from Lenore to Isabella, and finally Winnipeg where she taught for 19 years before retiring in 1985. Besides being a primary school classroom teacher, she delighted in sharing her love of music with her students, coordinating many Christmas concerts and musical productions. Donna was Stu's navigator as they traveled the world to many exotic places. Of particular interest were their trips through Europe where they visited Canadian war cemeteries and learned about the men who lay there. They developed lasting friendships with people they met everywhere they went. As Stu's assistant, Donna put in many hours volunteering at the Commonwealth Air Training Plan Museum in Brandon and spent many weekends helping with the tours. Stu gave tours and presented slide shows and Donna made sure he got all the names and places correct in his presentations. They were a great team! Donna had the unique ability of bringing people together. When they weren't travelling or volunteering, she loved to entertain and often hosted dinners and parties to keep family and friends connected. Donna was predeceased by her parents and brother-in-law Douglas McElroy. She will be lovingly remembered by her husband of sixty-one years, Stuart, three sisters, Viola McElroy, Ivy (Frank) Campbell and Jean (Jim) Carnegie. Her memory will also be cherished by her many nieces, nephews, great and great-great-nieces and nephews, cousins, the extended Douglas and Johnson families and many good friends. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Commonwealth Air Training Plan Museum in Brandon Manitoba or a charity of your choice. Cremation has taken place and a private memorial service will be held at a later date. We would like to thank the staff at the St. Norbert Personal Care Home who cared for Donna with understanding and compassion during her time with them. Stu wishes to thank nieces and nephews Shannon McFetridge, Don and Heather McElroy and Rev. Robert Campbell, friend Pat Love and St. Dunstan's Bay neighbours for all their help and support. Chapel Lawn www.chapellawn.ca 204-885-9715

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 01, 2015