Margaret Elizabeth Johnston (nee Marshall), “Betty” to her friends, passed away peacefully on April 17, 2024, at the age of 101.
Betty was born in Edmonton, Alberta on July 19, 1922. She was predeceased by her parents Andrew and Peggy Marshall, her sister Eileen Hooke, brothers Leslie, Jack, Edward and Larry Marshall, by her husband of 66 years, Donovan Johnston, and by her daughter-in-law Linda Johnston. She is survived by a whole bunch of people who loved her to pieces. Daughter Bev, son Jim, son Barry/Buzz (Hope), daughter Les (Ted), grandchildren Dawn, Jay (Sue), Karen, Jason, Colleen, Alex, Pat (Alyssa), Ben (Shehla) and Josie (Benoit), great-grandchildren Brandon, Britney (Kyle), Ashley, Olivia, Adam, Elizabeth, Indiana, Donovan and Wade.
Betty was raised on a farm near the small town of Mannville, Alberta during the Great Depression of the 1930s. Her home had no electricity, no running water, and only a wood stove for heat. From the time Betty was very young, she was up before the sun milking cows, after which she would help her mother with cooking, laundry, gardening, and the care of her younger siblings. It was a hard life, but for Betty it held one compensation - school! School was the best part of every day for her. She was a gifted student, particularly in mathematics, and finished Grade Eight by the time she was eleven years old, spending the next couple of years doing high school by correspondence. By any measure, Betty and her siblings grew up in poverty, but somehow all of her childhood memories were happy ones. Her parents, who were immigrants from Northern Ireland, knew little about Canada or Canadian farming, but they knew how to make a happy home for their children. Betty fondly remembered sitting at the table in the evening by the light of the coal oil lamp with her father beside her helping her with her homework. She remembered going to square dances at the school on Saturday nights and playing baseball with the neighborhood kids, where she was the fastest runner. When we would ask her “wasn't it hard growing up so poor”, she would reply that they didn't know they were poor, because everyone they knew was in the same boat.
In 1939, Canada went to war, and Betty joined the Royal Canadian Air Force. When she first joined the service, she led the Precision Squad, which traveled all across Canada as part of the Air Force recruitment effort. Later, Betty was assigned to a base in Vulcan, Alberta, where she recorded the flying times of the pilots-in-training. Although she enjoyed the work, it was heartbreaking to get to know the young pilots only to read about them having been shot down weeks later in Europe. As a result, she asked for a transfer and was sent to a base in Tofino on Vancouver Island. It was there that she met Don, who fell instantly for the gal with the wild curly red hair and the hourglass figure. It was the start of a love story that would last almost 70 years. Betty and Don were married in Vancouver on August 11th, 1945, and returned to Tofino where they took up residence in a small cottage on Long Beach. They had no running water or electricity, but they had a really great little dog and a spectacular view! The two of them lived in that cottage for the first year of their marriage, which they described as a year-long honeymoon.
Betty and Don settled briefly in Brandon, Manitoba, and eventually moved to Fort William, Ontario, where they raised their four children. Fortunately for the four of us, Betty really loved kids! She was an incredibly patient, kind, understanding parent, who was never harsh or critical. As far as we knew, we were the most interesting things in her life. She made us feel loved and special. She was the secure base from which we all launched, and the safe haven to which we returned when we needed to. She never truly realized how incredibly gifted she was at raising children. To her, because it was something that came so naturally, it couldn't possibly be something special.
Betty was a modest person who practiced gratitude before it was fashionable. She taught us manners simply by example. She was an incredible listener, compassionate and empathetic. She was a gracious hostess who could instantly make anyone feel at home. She brought out the best in everyone.
In the 50’s, Betty went to work part-time at Simpson-Sears, and she made many lasting friendships there. When she was turning 70, she thought it was about time she retired, but then she heard that the store was getting some new machines called computers, so she decided to stick around a while longer so that she could learn to use one! At the age of 101 she was still checking her Facebook and email regularly.
Betty played Bridge for many years, often at a very competitive level. She loved to read, especially mysteries. She loved to take long walks, which allowed her to stay healthy and fit longer than most of her friends, and she became the chauffeur for friends who couldn't drive anymore, regularly shuttling them to medical appointments and shopping. In her later years, Betty loved watching Curling and cheering for the Toronto Blue Jays.
Betty and Don loved to travel, often along with their closest friends. They loved going on road trips, especially to Winnipeg or Vancouver to visit their daughters and grandchildren. On one of those occasions, Betty was clocked going 135 kph on the Trans Canada Highway. She told the young RCMP officer that she was 83 years old and had never had a speeding ticket; he didn't have the heart to break her streak, so he let her off with a warning!
Betty and Don were a great team in life. They loved one another, struggled and learned together, and had fun together. From the time they met in the Air Force, and for many decades afterwards, they loved to go to dances with their friends. Anyone who had the chance to watch the two of them dance together was in for a real treat, not just because they were great dancers, but because of how happy they looked together.
Betty was adored not only by her children but also by her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and her nieces and nephews. As they grew up, she loved hearing about their lives and interests, celebrating their successes and being there to support them when they struggled. She let them know that she believed in them, and that they were capable of anything they set their minds to.
In July of 2022, Betty celebrated her 100th birthday with friends and family, many of whom had come from far away to spend the day with her. She had a wonderful time, celebrating well into the night. Betty was fortunate to reach the age of 101 ½ with all of her mental faculties intact, and for that her family is extremely grateful.
Betty's time with us here has come to an end, and we're all comforted by the knowledge that she was very ready for this, having lived a full and wonderful life. Betty will live on not only in our memories, but also in the everyday things that we take for granted. Because of the way she loved us, we are able to give and receive love, display compassion to others, and experience joy. We can never thank her enough, and we will miss her forever.
Betty's family would like to thank the PSWs from Paramed, especially Pat, the staff on the Trillium ward at Hogarth, and the staff at the Regional Hospital. Donations in Betty’s name can be made to the Shelter House, or the Canadian Mental Health Association. A Celebration of Life will be scheduled at a later date.
Condolences may be made through www.nwfainc.com
