Susan Margaret Johnston

Susan passed away peacefully, with her family by her side, on September 9th, 2022. Born in Toronto ON, and raised in Hastings ON, she was the eldest child of the late William Josephus Johnston and Margaret Lillian Johnston (nee Wyatt).

She is survived by her husband and partner of 47 years, Anthony (Tony) Robert Sproule, and her daughter Kathleen (Katie) Lily Johnston Sproule. She also leaves behind her step-daughter Catherine (Cathy) Sproule, her sisters Nancy Pollock (late Ted Pollock) and Wendy Jean Johnston, and her niece Sarah Pollock, among many other friends and family.

Susan was a proud graduate of the University of Western Ontario, where she earned a degree in Political Science and made lifelong friends. She started her career in government as a tour guide on Parliament Hill in Ottawa. Ottawa is where she met Tony, with whom she shared a love of travel and adventure that took them to live and work across the country, in Regina, Whitehorse, Calgary, Edmonton, and Fort Macleod. The two also shared a passion for genealogy, which led them to visit many parts of the country, and meet many new friends and family members from around the world.

Susan lived most of her life in Edmonton. Here she balanced her 30 year career with the Alberta Government with raising her daughter Katie, mentoring her step-daughter Cathy, and being the best partner to Tony. Through thick and thin, she was the level-headed rock of her family.

Susan was a quiet person, but she was powerful in how she communicated. She valued honesty, kindness, and openness to diverse perspectives. She was careful in her words and actions. Even while navigating the challenges of Multiple System Atrophy (MSA) during the last few years, she would hardly complain, would crack jokes in tough moments, and always reminded us to take care of ourselves and be good to each other. Thankfully, this disease did not seem to affect her sharp mind, and she remained the smartest one in the family. As was her way, Susan navigated this journey with dignity, thoughtfulness, and a humble bravery.

To us, she was our compass and our source of wisdom. We love you forever Susan (Mom), and we miss you.

A celebration of life will be held at Hainstock’s Funeral Home, 9810 34 Avenue NW Edmonton AB, on Friday, October 28th, 2022, at 1:30 p.m. with live-streaming available through www.hainstockedmonton.com.

Donations can be made to the Grey Nuns Community Hospital Palliative Care Unit, Covenant Foundation

Room 3C60, 11111 Jasper Avenue Edmonton, AB T5K 0L4 or the Parkinson’s Association of Alberta, 120, 6835 Railway St SE, Calgary, AB T2H 2V6.