Contributions to the tribute of Mary A. Johnston

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Jennifer Lamb pledged to donate to Presbyterian World Service & Development

Thursday, August 24, 2017

In gratitude for her cheerful and tireless energy that enriched the lives of so many people.

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Jennifer Lamb uploaded photo(s)

Saturday, July 15, 2017

Mary promoting fair trade coffee in July 2013

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Patti Haskell posted a condolence

Saturday, July 15, 2017

I am so sorry that I will not be able to join Mary's family and friends at her memorial service on Saturday because of a previous out of town commitment. Mary was a special friend and respected mentor. Her sensitivity, professionalism, leadership, encouragement, loyalty, selflessness, respect and support for others,church and community along with her commitment to her students, staff and schools and her unbelievable stamina was inspirational. She made a huge difference and will be missed by so many. Who will take the pictures that captured our journey? With love and respect, Patti

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Patti Haskell pledged to donate to Presbyterian World Service & Development

Saturday, July 15, 2017

With admiration and respect for a dear friend who will be sadly missed. Love, Patti

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Gunta Towsley pledged to donate to Presbyterian World Service & Development

Saturday, July 15, 2017

In loving memory of Mary and all the good work she did in education, her church and community.

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Jennifer Lamb uploaded photo(s)

Saturday, July 15, 2017

Mary celebrating St. Valentine's Day in 2015.

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Jennifer Lamb uploaded photo(s)

Saturday, July 15, 2017

Mary celebrating St. Patrick's Day in 2013

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Ruth (Kent) Chalmers pledged to donate to Presbyterian World Service & Development

Friday, July 14, 2017

In remembrance of a lifelong friend. My sympathy to all the family

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Ruth (Kent) Chalmers uploaded photo(s)

Friday, July 14, 2017

New York City-1948-Billy Roses Diamond Horseshoe- (l-r) Eleanor & Velma Johns, Mary Johnston, Ruth Kent

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Ruth (Kent) Chalmers uploaded photo(s)

Friday, July 14, 2017

Guide Camp - Ruth & Mary - lifelong friends

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Ruth (Kent) Chalmers posted a condolence

Friday, July 14, 2017

To Mary's family - She was so proud of you! I first met Mary at Peacehaven Guide camp, near Drumbo, when she was a teenager and have enjoyed her friendship the many decades since. Some of my fond memories of Mary: - our trip to New York City after camp in 1948. Mary got up at 6 am because she always wanted to travel out to see LaGuardia airport - 4 of us from camp had a 50 year reunion dinner in Preston - Mary stopping to visit my mother in Galt on her way to Hamilton "she was like a breath of fresh air" - Mary running into the drugstore and bringing candy to my children in the car - my granddaughter was so proud when she met Mary at a school track meet - Mary taking a personal tour when my son opened his Physio rehab clinic in KW - watching her heartfelt reading of the Christmas story at St. Andrews on TV Mary touched many lives. My sympathy to all her family. Sincerely, Ruth (Kent) Chalmers, London (formerly Galt & Palmerston)

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Elaine Gross posted a condolence

Friday, July 14, 2017

Mary was a woman who truly made a positive difference in this world. My thoughts are with her family and friends as they mourn her passing.

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ADK Upsilon posted a condolence

Thursday, July 13, 2017

Mary's wise counsel and good humour always helped us to be more successful as a group. Her sisters in sorority --Wendy Brum, Pat Carter, Jane Gingerich, Doris Litwiller, Kathy March, Ruth McKenna, MarySue Meredith, Bev Murray, Donna Reid, Grier Rennie, Debbie Schwantz, Ruth Shushan, Marcia Smellie, Gunta Towsley, Sue Van Norman, and Anne Borchardt will miss her more than words can express. Mary has been an active, honourary member of AlphaDeltaKappa Upsilon chapter-- an international association of women teachers. We share the sorrow of your loss.

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Christine Seebeck pledged to donate to Presbyterian World Service & Development

Thursday, July 13, 2017

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Beth-Ann Heatherington posted a condolence

Thursday, July 13, 2017

Mary was such an amazing woman! My children all attend "her school", and Mary faithfully attended every function. She always had a big smile on her face and happily greeted everyone she saw, and even gave out hugs. She attended the grade 6 graduation in June, and even shared some warm and encouraging words to the children and parents. She was such an amazing and inspiring woman, and I am so glad I had the privilege of knowing her. She will be missed by everyone-teachers, parents, kids- at Mary Johnston School. Our thoughts and condolences go out to her family and close friends. She will be greatly missed.

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Audrey Middleton posted a condolence

Thursday, July 13, 2017

Mary was a dear friend of all of us at Normal School, Stratford ( now teachers college) in about 1949-50. I am so pleased to learn of her extensive accomplishments. I treasure the fact that we kept in touch over the years, moreso since she learned how to navigate the email technology. Her warm personality was resonating . Well done Mary! RIP

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Andrew Bloomfield posted a condolence

Thursday, July 13, 2017

Mary J was my very dear friend for more than 20 years. I am a man who lives with complex health challenges and I cannot speak with my voice. Mary believed in me and the different ways I communicate my thoughts and feelings. She was my super encourager, helping me in so many ways to lead my whole life in my own home. Knowing that I love to learn about people and places, she gave me books and sent postcards and brought back rock samples from her travels. She generously supported Bridges-Over-Barriers, our whole group of self-advocates who communicate differently, to get training and make videos. I am very thankful for Mary’s friendship. She was a strong pillar in the bridge of my life. Andrew Bloomfield of Guelph

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Heather (Forbes) Shipman posted a condolence

Thursday, July 13, 2017

To this day almost 60 years later, Miss Johnston was my favourite teacher. I had her for homeroom and history at MacGregor PS. and I can still picture her in constant motion at the front of the class, engaging us all with her enthusiasm. She was unforgettable!

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Derey Family posted a condolence

Wednesday, July 12, 2017

We are part of Mary's extended family, her French family. We didn't see each other often, we talked sometimes on the phone... but she was part of so many conversations when Andrew, Beatrice and all the family visited us in France. We talked about her because everyone loved her. She was special. So warm and loving and generous that we could feel it thousands of miles away, in France... Our thoughts are with all the Johnstons's nieces, nephews and family.

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Shirley Oakley posted a condolence

Wednesday, July 12, 2017

I first knew Mary when I was a young child living on Dunbar Road in Waterloo. How excited my friends and I were when our moms gave us 10 cents to go to Johnston's Drug Store to buy an ice cream cone which would be served to us by a young Mary. In 1984, I interviewed for a position at MacGregor School and when I walked into her office, her first words were, "Well they didn't tell me it was little Shirley Struke coming in!" To recognize me and remember me by my maiden name over 40 years later shows her incredible memory and her gift for making people feel special. She was an amazing principal who deeply cared for her students and wanted only the best for them academically and personally. Our sons also have great memories of her from attending MacGregor.

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John Shortreed pledged to donate to Presbyterian World Service and Development

Wednesday, July 12, 2017

Mary was and is still an inspiration to John, Marcia, and Jennifer, unfortunately unable to attend.

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Kathryn March posted a condolence

Wednesday, July 12, 2017

Mary was one of a kind. She went out of her way to support and lift up all of those around her. Please accept my deepest condolences.

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Linda Welsh lit a candle

Wednesday, July 12, 2017

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Wendi Schwindt posted a condolence

Tuesday, July 11, 2017

The absolute best teacher in our life...John and I remember her with such fondness. Grade six for me at Empire and grade eight for both of us at Centennial. A wonderful woman with a true gift for teaching and guiding young people.

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Sandy & Jim Hayes posted a condolence

Tuesday, July 11, 2017

Sorry for your loss. We lived across the street from Mary for almost 30 years. She was an inspirational woman that we will never forget and feel lucky to have had her in our lives. Mary joined us earlier this year when we went to city council. We will miss her seasonal flags and fully decorated Halloween house. Most of all we will miss her and all the small gestures such as offering cookies, giving cards for special occasions and her friendly wave. She will be missed by many and the neighbourhood will never be the same without her.

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Sharon Harris lit a candle

Tuesday, July 11, 2017

Saddened to hear of Mary's passing. She was quite the mentor for so many women and I'm happy to have been one of them.

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Susan & David Holland posted a condolence

Tuesday, July 11, 2017

Sending along our deepest condolences to Mary's family in this time of sadness.

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Carole Johannesson posted a condolence

Tuesday, July 11, 2017

Mary, Miss Johnston to us, was an amazing school principal at Winston Churchill Public School the entire time our four children attended. She went the extra mile and, in our experience kept an eye out for them many years later. May she rest in peace. The Johannesson family

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The Knight family posted a condolence

Tuesday, July 11, 2017

We are so very sad to hear that Mary is gone. We lived across the street from her when our twins were born, and she would often come over for a chat and some tea. We were neighbours for 2 and a half years, and our kids loved her. We still visited her every Halloween (the only clown my kids weren't afraid of!) and she'd always have a special gift packed up for the girls. She was beyond thrilled for us when we moved to Steckle Homestead, as she had grown up with Jean Steckle and had visited this house countless times. We loved hearing about the stories of her and Jean and their camping trips at the farm and vacations to Nova Scotia. Mary was a very kind, caring woman, and we always felt honoured to be cared for by her. With our deepest condolences, we know she will be missed terribly.

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Marie and Kevin Simpson posted a condolence

Tuesday, July 11, 2017

We are so very sad to hear such a lovely lady has left us. We were privilaged to know her and call her friend. It ment the world to us that she was able to attend our wedding last fall and was very special person in our life. May God grant her rest now that she has gone home and is in the arms of our Lord.

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Jennifer Lamb uploaded photo(s)

Tuesday, July 11, 2017

Mary in her den, April 13, 2016.

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Jennifer Lamb uploaded photo(s)

Tuesday, July 11, 2017

New Dundee, October 16, 2016

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Ioanna Sahas Martin posted a condolence

Monday, July 10, 2017

Ms. Johnston was my first school principal at Winston Churchill public school, and when my family moved I was so happy to find her as the principal at my new school, keatsway. I remember her as warm, and kind, and devoted to the community. She always greeted people with a smile. And even many years after I left KW, if I happened to run into her on a visit home, she graciously accepted my greetings. My sympathies to her family. May her memory be eternal.

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Marilyn Santos posted a condolence

Monday, July 10, 2017

You were the most memorable teacher for me at MacGregor Public School. My deepest sympathy to your family. RIP Miss Johnston. You will never be forgotten.

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Kassandra Large and Matthew Ball posted a condolence

Monday, July 10, 2017

I am soo sorry for your loss. She was an amazing person with a very warm heart.

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Mary (Hamilton) Shelley posted a condolence

Monday, July 10, 2017

Mary was a wonderful and caring friend and mentor to so many, an accomplished educator, a dedicated member and Elder of her church...the list goes on. She will indeed be missed. We have made a donation to the Women's Missionary Society, St Andrews Kitchener in her memory. She spoke so proudly and fondly of her family - she loved you all. It is fitting that her days on this earth came to an end at the cottage that she loved so much with the family that she loved so much. "Well done good and faithful servant".

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Mary D'Alton lit a candle

Monday, July 10, 2017

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Janice Bock posted a condolence

Monday, July 10, 2017

Mary was a generous, supportive, giving person and many would say that she was a real "do-er". Whether with the Waterloo Historical Society, the education system, CFUW or her church she could always be counted on. She was a truly unique personality and I will miss catching up with her. I will be happy to commit to her charity of choice.

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Deborah Wills posted a condolence

Monday, July 10, 2017

Mary Johnston was a wonderful person and a true friend, always thinking of others and offering help whenever she could. It was an honour to know this extraordinary and generous woman who will long be remembered in our community.

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Doris Cowan posted a condolence

Monday, July 10, 2017

We will all miss your enthusiasm for life. I have wonderful memories of your time as our leader at McGregor Scool. Your contributions to all you touched including education and the historical society will live on in the years to come. This is truly a sad day!

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Linden Roberts posted a condolence

Monday, July 10, 2017

Mary Johnston was the principle when I was at Brighton Public School. She was wonderful! She turned an ordinary school into an experience that I remember fondly. My heart goes out to her family members.

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Ginny Schott (Lapp) posted a condolence

Monday, July 10, 2017

She was an incredible woman. She was my Principal at Brighton Public School. I have seen her many times over the years and she still remembered me, my name, parents, where I lived...everything. She will be sadly missed by many people in this community. Rest is Peace Ms. Johnston.

and Mrs Dean Fergusson pledged to donate to Presbyterian World Service and Development

Monday, July 10, 2017

Please make our donation for the Maternal and Child Health – Afghanistan and Malawi project of PWSD.

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Evelyn Witmer posted a condolence

Monday, July 10, 2017

Our sympathy to Mary's family on her sudden passing. She was s great lady I only knew her through WMS and Fair Trade Coffee.

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Jasmin Underwood lit a candle

Monday, July 10, 2017

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Loretta Aitkens C/O Emera Energy pledged to donate to Presbyterian World Service and Development

Monday, July 10, 2017

So sorry for your loss. From your Emera Energy Family.

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Linda, Vicki and Lesley Ness lit a candle

Monday, July 10, 2017

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Linda, Vicki and Lesley Ness posted a condolence

Monday, July 10, 2017

A dear, dear friend...our thoughts are with Mary's family. She loved and was very proud of you all. For those who had the plesure of knowing Mary, her generous heart, keen sense of humor, and her endless stories of people and places will be remembered and cherished. If we all could share the kindness, enthusiasm, and grace that exemplified every day of lovely Mary's life, the world would be a much better place...for everyone. May her many blessings to us all, live on. Rest in peace, dear Mary...

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Wendy & Larry Richardson pledged to donate to Presbyterian World Service and Development

Monday, July 10, 2017

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The family of Mary A. Johnston uploaded a photo

Sunday, July 9, 2017