Eleanor Virginia Johnson

We, the Johnson family, announce the passing of our beloved matron Eleanor Virginia Johnson “Oti” at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital on June 25, 2025, at the age of 80. She was surrounded by her “Toti” Patrick, her children, family, and friends. She was a devoted Catholic and a member of the Holy Family Parish in Eskasoni.

She was born in Truro, Nova Scotia, to George and Catherine (Tiannie) Paul. Her maternal Sylliboy family resided in Unama’ki, and thus the Paul family established their roots in Eskasoni, Cape Breton. Eleanor is from the “Muin” clan, and they were known for their love of Mi’kmaw language and culture. She was the granddaughter of the late Grand Chief Gabriel Sylliboy.

Eleanor always had a kind word and a warm smile for everyone she met. She was a gentle soul who treated everyone with love and compassion. Her legacy of love and kindness will continue to inspire us.

She started her career as a nurse, and she graduated from St. Rita’s in 1968. She relocated to London, Ontario, at the beginning of her nursing career. She later worked in Sydney at the City Hospital, St. Rita’s, and the Cape Breton Hospital. As in true healer fashion, Eleanor volunteered her time providing healthcare services in her community and at the St. Anne’s Mission in Potlotek.

Eleanor married the love of her life, “Toti” Patrick Johnson, in 1970 and started a family, and they had 4 children. Eleanor spent time as a field worker for the Union of Nova Scotia Indians in the early 70’s. In 1986, both Eleanor and Patrick went back to school and obtained their BA degrees at UCCB in 1990. Eleanor continued to pursue her studies and obtained a master’s in arts in Atlantic Canada Studies at St. Mary’s University in 1992. A champion for the language, she wrote her thesis entirely in Mi’kmaw, making her the first person in Canada to do so.

She was an associate professor with UCCB, presently CBU, for many years, teaching Mi’kmaw language and history. Her enthusiasm and encouragement for all things Mi’kmaw were felt by everyone she taught. She was a defender and advocate of students, “My Babies,” until her retirement, and nothing brought her more satisfaction than seeing her “Babies” succeed.

Eleanor is survived by her devoted “Toti” Patrick, her children Nigel (Amanda), Jeremiah (Shannon), Kattirin (Jonaphan), and Lo’li (Jill); grandchildren and great-grandchildren; her siblings, Janet, Peter "Chaps", Jackie, Sharon (John), and Patsy (Barry), brother-in-law Kennis (Martha), brother-in-law Michael "Mise’l"; godchildren, Dwayne, Laura "Lulu", John T., Cady and Georgina, nieces and nephews, and her foster children Richard, Theodore, Jenny, and Kevin.

Eleanor is predeceased in death by her mother Tiannie and her father George, mother-in-law, Mary Ruston (Joe/Johnson) and father-in-law Roddie John Johnson, sisters Georgina "Francho", Mary Ann, Matilda "Nanette", sister-in-law Sarah "Sally", brothers Ryan, George "Juice" and Gabriel "Gubby" and foster brother Keith.

The family wants to express their gratitude and special thanks to her caregivers, Eskasoni Home Care, Dr. Virick, Dr. Marshall, and the palliative care at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital.

Visitation will begin at 7:00 pm on July 3rd, 2025, at the Gabriel Centre on 50 Gabriel Street, Eskasoni. Funeral mass will take place on Saturday, July 5th at 10:00 am at the Holy Family Parish with Fr. Antolin Asor and Deacon Tom Sylliboy officiating. Interment will take place at the Holy Family Cemetery. Meal and Salite’ to follow at the Gabriel Centre. Memories and condolences can be shared with the family by visiting twcurry.com.