Jan 28, 1928 ~ Sept 15, 2015
Johnson, Katherine passed away peacefully at the Comox Valley Seniors Village on September 15, 2015.
She was predeceased by Husband Arthur Johnson in 2003, and by parents Jacob and Sara (nee Enns) Martens.
Her siblings; Sister Erna (George deceased) Thiessen, Brothers Henry (deceased) and wife Anne still alive, Jake (Sarah) and John (Susan), Brother-in-law Roy Johnson (Minnie) and one Daughter Verna (Wayne) Llemky.
The light of her life – grandson, Brad McEwen whom she looked after every summer during his growing up years. Several other special grandchildren and great grandchildren. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews who we were very close to in our younger years.
Kay was born in Graysville, Manitoba. The family resided there until she was about 15 when they moved to the beautiful Fraser Valley. The family struggled and worked very hard in the depression and they all became quite successful because they are all hard working, caring and generous folks. Mom graduated from MEI in Abbotsford. She then took her nursing degree at Royal Columbian Hospital and graduated in 1951. She took on her first job in Cranbrook and met and married Art there. Mom worked in many towns in British Columbia, mostly in the OR and ER until she retired at 65. She took a brief hiatus from nursing to own a florist shop in Revelstoke where there was only shift work in the hospital and she could not adjust to that so dad bought her a business. She kept a very strong connection with her nursing classmates for most of her life.
Mom spent her whole life helping others. After she retired, she immediately started volunteering for Hospice on the North Shore of Shuswap Lake where there were no doctors. In 1996, mom and dad moved to Comox to be closer to us. As soon as she got here, she volunteered at the Filberg Lodge. Mom also looked after my dad for 10 years of ill health and when he passed away in 2003, she moved to live next to St. Josephs General Hospital. She fed the residents every day at lunch and dinner for several years. She was enjoying life to the fullest with walking, knitting, taking in plays with friends and helping in the hospital. So sadly, that fun time of her life was very short. She was run over by a car when she was in a crosswalk and was never able to live independently again.
After long months of rehab, mom lived in Berwick for several years. When she was needing more help, she moved over to the Comox Valley Seniors’ Village. In both residences, the staff and other residents became like a family to mom and to her daughter as well. Kay’s family would like to extend heartfelt thanks to the residents and staff in both buildings she lived for their caring and sharing. Mom had her own family “care giver” at CVSV that was the epitome of perfection at her profession.
Mom fought through many serious illnesses and accidents in her life and never complained but she finally just got tired of being so tough. Two very special ladies helped her through this phase, taking her for drives and walks and ice cream. They gave mom many wonderful hours of enjoyment. She was very fortunate to have Eda and Anne as friends.
Kay did not like to be in the limelight or have any fanfare for her. Therefore, the family will respect her wishes that there be no service. She will be cremated and her ashes will join her husband and other family members. Donations to the charity of your choice in her name would be greatly appreciated.