Johanna Joke Werner Scott-Lehman

If anyone ever cared, really cared for someone else it would have to be Johanna Scott. She was a warm hearted and well liked individual, and these wonderful traits came easily to her because she was such a sociable and amiable person, someone who was always making certain that those around her whatever they needed. Johanna was a talkative person who was tactful at all times but typically said what she meant.

She was the daughter of Rijnder & Wilhelmina Werner. Johanna was raised in Holland. During her childhood she learned to be reliable and respectful. Johanna was an obedient child who wanted to win the favor of others. She found it easy to show sympathy and to perform kind acts for others. These admirable qualities would become a part of Johanna's personality throughout her life. Johanna entered school and finds that learning comes naturally to her, she is very bright and because of this gift Johanna is somewhat a lazy student, cramming briefly before exams and pulling off great marks much to the chagrin of her younger sister who studies diligently yet whose marks can't compete. In the evenings after school and dinner some of the daughters assist their mother at her office cleaning job. Johanna discovers that cleaning deeply satisfies something in her. It is a trait she takes into her adulthood. however, despite her mother's best efforts, Johanna is simply not interested in learning how to cook. Luckily later in life, Johanna has a gift for attracting and marrying men who do like to cook so she doesn't go unfed.

Johanna was frequently the one to initiate games and activities with her family. Johanna was raised with four sisters: Reinita, Ellen, Yvonne and Loes. Johanna and her siblings had the typical rivalries while growing up, but they cared deeply for one another.

In her early teens the quiet and shy Johanna learns to play the accordion. She has a cousin who plays as well and the pair of them become rather proficient. At family get-together the youngsters are lifted up onto tables and encouraged to play. in fact they get so good that they are soon being asked to play at weddings and other family events. After finishing high school, Johanna takes a job working in the cafeteria at a local TV station. She thoroughly enjoys this for Johanna loves to act the hostess, she is warm and gracious and liked by all. In the early 1970’s Johanna meets and marries her first husband Frans. They have a dozen plus years together and then Frans tragically passes away. In the meantime, Loes has moved to Canada and on a return visit to Holland she encourages her newly widowed sister to immigrate. Johanna ponders a move to Canada and when she finally makes a decision she sells her home and heads to Toronto. She takes a job with her sister at her accounting firm but after 2 weeks she quits saying that is not the job for her. Her next job is with the Bombay Company. Johanna meets Vince who works for the City of Toronto and he becomes husband number 2.

Johanna has an eye for beauty and style and she takes these gifts and studies to be an esthetician. She is a natural and upon graduation she rents a downstairs room beneath a hairdressing salon and opens up a shop. With the combination of her bubbly, vibrant personality, her skillfulness, talent, dedication and perfectionism, her clientele quickly grows and the business is successful. Sadly another tragedy awaits around the corner for Johanna’s second husband dies after little more than a decade of marriage.

Life goes on and Johanna picks up the pieces of her broken heart. Her business continues to thrive. When she does get the odd free moment, she goes up the stairs into the hairdressing salon where she passes the time with the patrons and staff. A local businessman name Fred Lehman gets his hair cut at this particular salon. He thoroughly enjoys the bright, cheerful chats he has with the effervescent Johanna. After one of their encounters Fred offers to take Johanna out for lunch and she happily accepts. They dine at a nearby restaurant called the Red Lantern and before long lunches turn into diners and love blossoms.

Fred and Johanna are a magical couple. The absolutely sparkle and shine in each other’s company. One fateful day Fred suggests that if Johanna isn’t doing anything in two weeks, perhaps they should get married. Johanna quickly shoots Fred down telling him that she cannot marry him because he is not old enough. Having buried two husbands before the age of 52 Johanna is simply not going to marry again until the intended passed that birthday benchmark. And so they wait. Fred celebrates his 52nd birthday and on august 5th, 2001, the couple host a spectacular party. Fred looks dashing in a deep gray suit, Johanna is willowy and glamorous in a spaghetti strapped gown as they greet their many guests. After cocktails the guest sit down to dinner. Once the dinner dishes are cleared a rather rough looking, casually dressed bearded man stands before Fred and Johanna. He is a minister and in front of 150 witnesses, the ecstatic couple exchange their wedding vows. Once the formalities are out of the way it is time for dessert and post nuptial festivities. Their adventure as a married couple as about to begin. Johanna was blessed with two step children, Christopher and Kimberly and grandchildren: Jordan & Kori.

Life settles into its own routine. They greet each morning with a kiss and end each day with one as well. Johanna keeps a perfect home while Fred looks after most of the cooking. They love to entertain and are consummate hosts. Johanna continues to run her esthetician shop while Fred conducts his business. Once a year Johanna flies back to Holland for a month-long visit with her parents and other family. Fred come along as well but stays just for one week. Each winter the couple drives to Fort Lauderdale for a respite from the harsh Ontario winters.

In 1999 Fred retires. Johanna works for another couple of years and she suggests that it might be nice to settle in Kelowna, British Columbia. She had been to Kelowna with Vince yars before and had fallen in love with the beauty of the valley. At first Fred resists a move to BC but when it comes to something Johanna wants, Fred can’t resist for long. The couple flies out to Kelowna and goes in search of a house. Within 4 days they find one and buy it. Then it is back to Ontario to pack up and make the big move out west. Johanna now is retired and she can indulge in two of her favorite passions – gardening and shopping. Both of these activities are fuelled by Johanna’s love of beautiful things. She has an exacting eye and she delights in creating elegant, tasteful, harmonious surrounding. Whether it is decorating the house, finding just the right pair of shoes (and she sets about on that quest frequently), pulling together the perfect outfit, or planting her much adored flowers each thing that Johanna touches turns into a mini-masterpiece. After 18 months in that first house, the couple moves again into a fabulous home in Crawford Estates and Johanna gain works her magic both inside and out.

Their lives settle into a new, different and wonderful routine. Each morning over coffee the couple challenges one another to a couple games of crib. If there is a tie, a rubber match must be played. 4 to 5 times a week Fred then gives his beloved a good bye kiss and heads out to play a round at the Harvest Golf and Country Club. Johanna retreats to her garden where she putter s away tweaking, weeding and perfecting. In the afternoon, she hops in the care to do a little shopping and perhaps meet up with friends. Sunday mornings Johanna indulges her love of the long running British soap Coronation Street by catching up on all 5 of that week’s episodes. The couple no longer go to Fort Lauderdale for it is too far to drive to so the couple decides on Mesa, Arizona instead where they purchase a condo. The join the thousands of other Canadians escaping winter to a place where they can enjoy the nice weather and there is no shortage of places to shop or golf.

Everywhere they go Johanna and Fred make friends. While the couple doesn’t do much travelling during their too short time together, there are a couple of very memorable trips. The first is to Costa Rica where they consider for a time perhaps buying some property. The second is a vacation to Vietnam which in Fred’s words was the coolest trip ever.

Johanna fends off the ravishes of time by slathering herself with a multitude of potions and creams. There is body cream, hand cream, foot cream, face cream, eye cream, leg cream, lip cream, even elbow cream for Fred because his elbows are too rough. When asked why one cream won’t suffice, Johanna is quick to set the record straight. It is imperative to have the right type of cream for each body part because all creams are not the same.

But unfortunately there is no cream to fend off the cancer that dogs Johanna for much of her adult life. In her late twenties, the disease begins to manifest itself within Johanna’s body. For almost 30 years she is able to conquer each assault. But this past January while in Mesa, she begins to feel unwell. No one seems able to give a clear diagnosis and it isn’t until Fred and Johanna return to Canada that she learns the awful truth.

Despite her illness, Johanna remains gracious and courageous. Her thought and cares are for those around her – not for herself. She worries about Fred and tries to tell him that everything is going to be okay. Her depth of character never waivers despite her deteriorating health.

Johanna was a faithful and loving person. Some would even call her sentimental and a romantic at heart. Her kindness and consideration radiated an aura of warmth to those around her. Johanna cared for what others thought and carried that into her marriage. On August 5th, 2001 Johanna married Fred Lehman at a great party at Tuscany Banquet Centre in Aurora, ON, between the main course dinner & dessert. Compassionate and devoted, Johanna worked hard to make her new life partner happy.

Taking her work seriously came naturally to Johanna, and she expected the same from those around her. Johanna was a good team player, someone who was born to cooperate with others. She was what some would call a “people person” and it was demonstrated in her good communication skills. Johanna was a steady worker, one who was realistic about schedules. The kind of details that would give family members and work colleagues fits were situations that Johanna handled well. She could understand the details without getting lost in the broad “big picture.” Her primary occupation was an Estetician. She had her shop at Sweeny Todd Hair Salon for over ten years where customers had to book 2 - 3 months in advance. She brought harmony to her work environment, doing what was necessary in order to get the job done, while always maintaining respect for her colleagues.

A methodical woman, Johanna enjoyed spending time working on her various hobbies. She had no problem following all of the steps and instructions on a given project and was proud of the fact that she could have something to show for her efforts. Her favorite pursuits were shopping for shoes, she had a pair for every occasion. She loved gardening and reading about 3 books a week.

Johanna was one of those people who took pride in constantly putting forth her best effort. Nowhere was that more visible than in sports. Johanna was always enthusiastic and a great team player. Recreational sports included golfing with her husband. Johanna & Fred resorted to playing best ball golf. Johanna also liked being a sports fan and enjoyed following her favorite teams whenever she got the opportunity.

Johanna was the kind of person who would readily move into action in order to help others. She was appreciated and respected. She could find value in the opinions of others and was passionate about her own values and beliefs. So it’s little wonder that she was active and highly valued by those in her community, she donated her estetician skills to seniors who couldn't come to her shop. Politically, Johanna was non-polotical - she loved everyone!

Not only did Johanna enjoy traveling, but she also seemed to enjoy planning all of those trips and vacations. She was a facilitator who could easily make up a near perfect schedule of all of the things to do and see. She rarely tired of going back and revisiting her favorite places. Favorite vacations included Vietnam, Costa Rica, Lauderdale & Mesa.

Johanna was a lover of animals and cherished her pets. One of her favorites was Dargo, she called him her shepherd dog who never listened, who was a best friend for 8 years.

Since it was easy for Johanna to meet and get to know new people, she quickly made friends, even in retirement. Once she met those new friends, she loved sharing stories and talking about the good old days. Since she was practical and cost effective, Johanna was ready when that day to retire finally came in 2003. Her new life involved relocating to Kelowna & Mesa from Aurora, Ontario. In retirement, she found more time for her love of gardening, reading & shopping. Even in retirement, Johanna stayed in touch with her old friends and made plenty of new acquaintances. She was active in the community and felt fulfilled with the opportunities that retirement offered her.

Johanna passed away in her husbands arms on October 5th, 2010 at 11:10 A.M. Johanna fought a long battle with cancer. She is survived by her loving husband Fred, stepchildren Christopher and Kimblerly and their families, her sisters: Reinita, Ellen and Yvonne of Holland and Loes (John) of Ontario and all of their families. Services were held at First Memorial Funeral Services, on Friday, October 8th, 2010 at 11:00 A.M. followed by cremation. Johanna is with her husband & when he dies they will be interred together.

Johanna was a fantastic conversationalist who could engage just about anyone in a discussion. And whenever she said something, she meant it. Johanna was a down to earth person, outgoing and gregarious. She was without question the type of person who enjoyed experiencing things first hand. She was practical and sensible, but what friends and family will remember her for most is the fact that she was so understanding and kind. Everyone whose life she touched will miss Johanna Scott.