Predeceased by her husband, Leo John Johnston (2010). Also predeceased by her brother, Robert (1993), sister Lorraine (2011), her parents Robert and Winnifred Leith, and great-granddaughter Billie Dawn (2001).
Left to mourn are her children Anne Simmons (Terry) of Port Dover, Dave (Debbie) of Cambridge, Christine McCabe (Ben) of Cambridge, Barbara Lehtiniemi (Leo) of Glen Robertson, and Michael (Kathryn) of St George. Sadly missed by her many beloved grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Rosemary was a loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, and was deeply involved with all her family. She was a profoundly devout Roman Catholic, and she was involved in activities at St. Ambrose Church for decades. She served in the Catholic Women's League at St. Ambrose for many years, and was co-founder of the parish library. She was also involved in Cambridge Right to Life, and served for nine years as a trustee on the Waterloo Catholic District School Board. Later in life she used her knitting skills to knit prayer shawls for ill or bereaved parishioners; she also knit items for the local homeless shelter and for charities overseas.
Visitation will take place at T. Little Funeral Home and Cremation Centre (223 Main Street, Cambridge) Sunday, August 16, 2026 from 2–4 p.m. and 6–8 p.m (Prayers at 7:30 p.m.). Funeral Mass to be held at St. Ambrose Church (210 South Street, Cambridge) on Monday, August 17 at 10:30 a.m. Private family interment to follow at Memory Gardens, Breslau.
In memory of Rosemary's generous nature, donations to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, Canadian Food for Children, or the charity of your choice would be appreciated by the family.
