Lillian Louise Johnstone

There are a special few people in this world who thin the distance between heaven and earth and on February 19, 1925, the world got one when Lillian Louise Johnstone entered it. And after a century of unparalleled grace and strength, Lillian, aka GG (Great Grammy; Grace and Gratitude) answered Jesus’ call to come home on July 17, 2024.

Born in Truro, Nova Scotia to Forman George and Evaline Geddes Frizzell, Lillian was a shy girl who never could have imagined becoming a missionary. But that is exactly what God called her to be after accepting the Lord at the age of 13 and meeting her future husband, Charles Lindsay Johnstone, some years later. In fact, when Lindsay suggested it, her response was “well, if you want to go out as a missionary, you’ll be going alone!” And yet there she was, displaying God’s love in Central and South America for nearly 40 years.

Lillian left school early to work as a stenographer for two years before attending New Brunswick Bible Institute. That experience proved useful, as she would later find herself teaching at Bible Schools in both Bolivia and Panama.

She and Lindsay married on September 5, 1949 and in 1950 They traveled to Bolivia where they would spend 33 years spreading the Word of God. During that time, they were blessed with their beautiful daughters, Beth and Brenda, each of whom brilliantly reflected their mother’s light into their own lives. In 1986, they went to Panama and continued God’s work there for another four years.

When Beth moved to Canada, Lillian and Lindsay followed. They remained heavily involved in their daughters’ lives, from Beth’s wedding to Michael “Mickey” Bevens, their move to Bellingham, WA, and the birth of their sons Jacson and Harrison. Lillian helped raise Jacson and Harrison, while providing unending love and support to Brenda as she built her own life in Vancouver, BC. Lillian survived the tragic passings of both Brenda and Lindsay, continuing undaunted in her quest to display God’s love and glory to everyone around her.

Her ministry continued through 37 years of involvement with Bible Study Fellowship, constantly challenging herself to grow. “I was always pulling up my roots to see if they were still there.” When in doubt, she turned to the Word of God; her favorite verses were John 1:12, Psalm 16:6, Isaiah 46:4, and Nehemaiah 8:4

A relentless learner, Lillian learned Spanish and Guarani in her 20’s, played piano and accordion and, at the age of 55, learned to drive, swim, speak French, and earned her GED! When she turned 87 years old she went snowshoeing because, in her words, “I haven’t done anything new recently.”

At age 90, on what would have been her 66th wedding anniversary, she danced for the first time in her life with her grandson, Jacson, on his wedding day.

She had an effortless wisdom, imparted to everyone lucky enough to know her. Some of the pearls she left us with include “God is always at work, mainly underground” and “with God it takes as long as it takes.”

Lillian is predeceased by sisters Bertha LeBlanc, Doris Work, Kaye Lundie, Marjorie Patton; nephew's Jack Work, Eric Edwards and niece Audrey Work.

She is survived by her daughter Beth (Mick), her grandsons Jacson (Paulina) and Harrison (Katie), her great granddaughters Penelope and Ridley; nephews Paul (Faye) Johnstone, Norman (Heather) Patton; Stephen (Heather) Patton and Greg (Tanya) Patton; nieces Audrey (Earle) Fisher, and Jo-Anne (Greg) Williams; nephews Brian (Marlene) Johnstone, Dougie Johnstone and Stephen Johnstone.

She left the world a better place than she found it, and is currently dancing with the angels in heaven.

Lillian’s Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, August 10, 2024 at 2:00 pm at Ross Road Community Church, 3160 Ross Road, Abbotsford, Canada.

To watch Lillian's service live streamed please go to https://www.legacystreaming.com/dignity-aldergrove/