Obituary of Mary A. Johnston

JOHNSTON, Mary A., B.A., M.Ed.

Daughter of the late Marion Halley and Joseph Johnston.  Sister of the late Rev. John Johnston (Heather) of Hamilton.  Aunt of Andrew (Béatrice) of Kingston, Ian (Kelly) of Halifax, and Mary (Ian) of Ottawa. Great-aunt of Gabrielle, Emmanuelle, and Michel Johnston, Samantha and Stephanie Johnston, and Micah, Mateas, and Malachi Winter.

Teacher, vice-principal and principal in Waterloo schools – Bearinger’s, MacGregor, Empire, Centennial, Brighton, Winston Churchill and Keatsway.  Active in the Federation of Women Teachers’ of Ontario, recipient of the provincial Diamond Jubilee Award (1978).  Also active in the Ontario Teachers’ Federation and later in the Ontario Elementary Teachers’ Federation.  Recipient of the first regional “professional” Woman of the Year award, the Queen’s Silver, Golden and Diamond Anniversary Medals.  Honoured on her retirement with the naming of the Mary Johnston Elementary School, Waterloo. Named a member of “A Legacy of Leaders” celebrating 150 years of leaders in the City of Waterloo in 2007.  Inducted into the Waterloo County Hall of Fame in 2009.

Committed to community activities such as eldership in St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church and promotion of fair trade products, life member of the Women’s Missionary Society, member of the Waterloo Historical Society, Probus Women’s Club of Kitchener-Westmount, and the CFUW Kitchener-Waterloo.

Mary died naturally and unexpectedly at her cottage with Andrew, Ian and Mary by her side on July 7, 2017.

A memorial service will be held at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, 54 Queen St. N., Kitchener on Saturday, July 15, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. with the Rev. Gregory Smith officiating.  A reception will follow immediately at the church.

In lieu of flowers, if desired, donations may be made to the Presbyterian World Service and Development (PWS&D) and may be arranged at the service or by contacting the Erb & Good Family Funeral Home, 171 King St. S., Waterloo, www.erbgood.com or 519-745-8445.