Joy Isabelle Johnston (nee Habens)

April 26, 2019
Joy Isabelle Johnston (nee Habens) could not have been better named. She gave her children, Brock (Karin) and Hilary (Les) and grandchildren (Leonora, Zoe, Lachlan and Richard) wonderful lives.
Born in England in 1932, Joy was predeceased by her elder brothers, Jack, Peter and Bern and by her husband, Art.
Joy trained and worked as a nurse before coming to Saskatchewan. She worked there in Maryfield, then in an Assin'skowitiniwak community, before moving to Alberta. From her new Edmonton home, she hiked and skied thanks to earlier experiences with Guiding and Youth Hosteling.
Through tennis, Joy met her life partner. After their 1962 marriage, she took a career break to start a family. In 1974, the family moved to Saratoga Beach, where they ran Killarney Resort. Soon after, Joy returned to nursing. She retired from the Campbell River hospital in Jan. 1989.
In 1995, Joy and Art retired to Comox. Joy was now free to volunteer more as a Unitarian and in the wider community. In her declining years, friends returned her love manifold.
Celebration of Life will take place at 1 pm Sat. June 1 at 250 Beach Dr, Comox BC V9M 1P9.
In lieu of flowers, Joy asked that friends donate to Child Haven International, 19014 Concession 7, Maxville, ON K0C 1T0. www.childhaven.ca.