C. Anne Johnston

It’s with great sadness that we announce the death of Constance “Anne” Johnston (nee Merston). Anne was a force of nature and she will be much missed. Her father built and ran the Oak Bay Beach Hotel, and she and her siblings grew up in the hotel and in lodgings next door. During World War II, Anne and her sister were sent to Strathcona Lodge School at Shawnigan Lake where they made enduring friends.

Anne went to McGill University at age 16. As well as playing sports, she had a lively cadre of friends who delighted in costume parties and singing circles. At McGill she met and married Jim (James Alfred Meredith Johnston). She obtained her Masters in Bacteriology while Jim obtained his MD and they returned to live in Victoria. Anne started the Microbiology Department at St Joseph’s Hospital and had her eldest child, Susan, before the couple moved to Great Britain for Jim to continue studies in Dermatology. Ian and Margot were born in Britain.

After Jim’s death in 1959, Anne returned with her children to Victoria. She became head of Microbiology at Royal Jubilee Hospital and worked there for many years. She was also the official microbiologist for the orcas at Sealand. Eventually she left RJH and started her business in infection prevention and control, consulting with all the South Island and Saltspring Island hospitals. She retired in 2001.

Anne moved to Deep Cove in 1975 and quickly became a leader in her community. She volunteered with the Parks Commission and the North Saanich Environmental Advisory Council as well as chairing the Saanich School Board, and the Peninsula Community Association (now Beacon Community Services). Searching for a way to support the PCA programs, she started the first Beacon thrift store: the Peninsula Old and New. Once the store was up and running, she volunteered in the store for 25 years! In 1984 the federal government honoured her with a Lifestyle Award for “individuals who have made, on a volunteer basis, a remarkable and continuing contribution in promoting health and social services in their community”.

In 2002 Anne moved back to Victoria to be closer to her children. There she enjoyed the company of dear friends, lifelong and new. Her family would like to thank Anne’s friends in her condo building, Parkwood Court and Mount St. Mary Hospital for their care of Anne during her last few years. Along with her continuous commitment to education and volunteering, Anne was always up for a bit of fun. She loved beaches, forests and music. She loved to row her dinghy in Oak Bay and Deep Cove. She loved to forage for mushrooms and pick berries. She especially loved her family and was our matriarch.

She was predeceased by parents Marcia and William Merston, siblings Pam and Jim, and will be much missed by daughters Susan and Margot, son Ian, daughters-in-law Rainey and Caroline, granddaughter Sage, great granddaughters Meryn and Ella, great-great grandson Loyal, sister-in-law Isabel and numerous nieces, nephews and their families.

Anne’s Celebration of Life will be held on August 8, 2 pm at First Memorial, 4725 Falaise Drive. Please RSVP: [email protected]