Caroline Annette Johnston passed away peacefully on August 11, 2017. Born November 29, 1919, in Winnipeg, MB, Caroline grew up in Kamsack, SK. Her loving and helping heart led her to a career as a Registered Nurse. Following training at Winnipeg’s St. Boniface Hospital, Caroline took positions in Yorkton and Vancouver, and in later years nursed in five more Saskatchewan communities. In 1946, she met and married the love of her life, Tom Johnston. It was a rich, happy, and fulfilling union for both, and ended too soon in January, 1977 with Tom’s sadly premature passing by cancer – her wedding ring was still on her finger when she passed. Due to Tom’s position as an RCMP officer, they lived a somewhat nomadic life, living in 11 houses in eight different communities in one 10-year span. They raised four wonderful children – Diane, Maureen, Tom, and Rod. Before becoming a mother, Caroline’s most cherished nursing position was as a maternity nurse, so it was no surprise – as she frequently noted to family, friends, and acquaintances – that the first time she saw each of her four children, she “fell in love again.” She relived this experience many times throughout her life, welcoming eight grandchildren and two great grandchildren into the world. Caroline’s greatest love and proficiency were her roles as wife, mother, nurse, advocate, and athlete. She frequently and proudly reminded her children and grandchildren where their athletic abilities came from. Aside from her growing years, Caroline’s longest stays were in Weyburn, (33 years) and Victoria, B.C. (19 years). Her final seven-year residence in Victoria was in The Cedars, a seniors’ home. The wonderfully friendly, loving, and caring atmosphere created by staff and residents, combined with frequent visits from friends and family, contributed greatly to making the final years of Caroline’s life very happy ones. Her contribution was to be characteristically a thoughtful, kind and warmly loving and accepting presence for staff and residents. Caroline had a long and fulfilling life. She refused to look at her life as anything less than a wonderful gift, despite many challenges faced, and adamantly refused to think of any part of her life journey as difficult. Caroline was an open-minded and progressive thinking sage who taught her family to share her love for “imperfect people” and wonderfully interesting “characters” who come into our lives. She enriched family visits and gatherings with storytelling and laughter, never taking centre stage, but delighting in the presence and singularness of each and every family member. Caroline had an intense respect for education and lifelong learning, and was an honored volunteer for many years at the Weyburn Public Library. She had simple tastes, an aversion to materialism, and a deep love of pictures and puzzles. She gave generously in every way, and there were never strings attached. The love she shared was always unconditional. For 30 years, she cared selflessly for her brilliant but ill daughter, Maureen, until her passing at age 49 in 1998. Caroline had the very purest of hearts and an incredible strength of spirit. She will be greatly missed. Caroline is pre-deceased by husband Tom, daughter Maureen, and sisters Euphie and Joan. She will live on in the memories of children Diane (Ted), Tom (Christine), and Rod (Roxy); grandchildren Julie, Tyler, Leneigh, Dustin, Alaina, Charlie, Michael, and Clarke; great grandchildren Mira and Leif; niece Gaylene, a steadfast presence in Caroline’s final months, Caroline’s sister Euphie’s “Colorado clan” of Joe and family, and sister Joan’s “Aussie clan” of Mic, Caroline, and family. A memorial service will be held October 7 at 2:30 p.m. in the Royal Oak Burial Park Chapel in Victoria, B.C. Donations in Caroline’s memory to the Canadian Mental Health Association are welcomed.
