Elizabeth Josephine Johnston

Elizabeth personified what God intended a woman to be - faithful, loyal, gracious, selfless, loving and caring. She was a care taker, wise, with arms wide open. She wasn't fearful about sharing her love of the Lord with anyone. Elizabeth was loved dearly by all who knew her. A devoted Wife, Mother and Grandma. A steadfast Christian who loved the Lord completely. Always had the kettle on for a cup of tea.

Elizabeth was born in Kesh, on September 3, 1941. She grew up on a small hobby farm in Enniskillen, Killadeas, Co. Fermanagh, Northern Ireland. She was the eldest child of five. Her parents, Isaac and Sarah Thompson instilled strong family ties in her. She deeply loved her three sisters, Ruth, Maureen and May and her brother William.

Elizabeth met her future husband, Samuel Johnston at a barn dance in Omagh, Co. Tyrone, Northern Ireland. The dance was held in an actual barn with straw bales lining the inner walls for seating. Elizabeth approached Samuel and asked him to dance, it was obvious that they liked each other. Being close to the end of the evening Samuel got her address and they began exchanging letters. Many evenings were spent by Samuel hitchhiking from Bready to Killadeas for their date. Sam would start right after work hitching rides and walking on the over 65km journey to see her. Due to the lack of cars on the road, one night Samuel walked several hours from Killadeas to Omagh before someone gave him a ride. Elizabeth saved her money and purchased a car, a brand new Riley Elf, this helped solidify their relationship.

During their courtship, Elizabeth finished her schooling and graduated as a nurse from Enniskillen Technical College. She gained her experience nursing in both Omagh and Londonderry at different times.

They were married on March 20, 1965 in Killadeas Church Co. Fermanagh. Shortly thereafter, in June 1965 they left Londonderry by train, for a brighter future in Canada. The journey to Canada was an adventure in itself, not your typical honeymoon. They arrived in Belfast where they caught an overnight sailing to Liverpool. They boarded the Queen Mary where they sailed for seven days and nights and arrived in Montreal, Quebec with 10 pounds sterling between them. The journey didn't end there as a five day train ride to Agassiz, British Columbia lay ahead.

Elizabeth and Sam made Chilliwack their home and moved into their first house on First Ave. Elizabeth found employment at Glenwood Care Centre located in Agassiz. She would ride her bike to and from work, over the Agassiz/Rosedale bridge. It was at this time, they started their family and had their first child, Heather. Shortly after Heather was born, Elizabeth became home sick and they moved back to Londonderry, N. Ireland. Elizabeth settled her family at Crom Castle, Co. Fermanagh.

On August 30, 1967, Elizabeth welcomed triplets, three identical sons. Her boys, named Mark, Paul and Alan were born in Altnagelvin Area Hospital, Londonderry and sadly passed away shortly after their birth.

Elizabeth gave birth to another son, Nigel on July 15, 1968 in Enniskillen Hospital, N.Ireland. She was thrilled with her family but, not her location. In 1969, Elizabeth realized that Canada was where she wanted to be and packed up her family and made the journey back. It was on February 17, 1970 Elizabeth gave birth to her last child, Elaine. She was a devoted Mother.

Living in Rosedale, on McGrath Road, Elizabeth met Lorraine Armstrong. Lorraine grew to become one of Elizabeth's closest and dearest friends. Elizabeth was saved in April of 1970 and credits Lorraine in being instrumental in leading, developing and cultivating her walk with Jesus. She raised her family in the little Rosedale Pentecostal Holiness Church under Pastor Gallis. She volunteered in teaching Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, Tuesday Night Youth Group and was involved with the Pentecostal Bible Camp in Columbia Valley.

Elizabeth chose to stay at home with her three children and did not return to work until 1984, they were in their teenage years. When she did pick up her nursing career she found employment with Eden Rest Home and remained there until her retirement in June 2001. She met some amazing women while working there who witnessed her devotion to God.

Some hobbies and activities Elizabeth enjoyed were knitting, crocheting, embroidery and quilting. She loved camping, and looked forward to the adventures that came along with it. At one point she was even part of a bowling team at Park Lane Bowling Alley here in Chilliwack. Her adventurous side appeared often and she even tried snowmobiling in her sixties. A good game of Scrabble was always welcomed. Her son Nigel was convinced she invented words as the game went on. Her favourite leisure activity was her garden and watching the birds at the feeders. Long drives on Sunday afternoons with Samuel was a cherished pastime.

Christmas was HUGE! Elizabeth stopped at nothing to make sure everyone had something. When it came to family, everyone who celebrated Christmas with her received a stocking. She spent countless hours, even days preparing homemade and store bought gifts. She personalized each stocking, from a case of vanilla coke to an antique pocket watch she ensured every grandchild got their hearts desire.

Her Grandchildren gave her much joy and she was proud of every single one. Brandon, Terence, Ashley, Tristan, Brody, Colton, Craig, Lance, Robert, Kelaynna and Matthew were her pride and joy. Elizabeth's one desire was to see them all serving the Lord and following the path that God has ordained for each grandchild. She diligently prayed for all of them. She would be awoke by the Holy Spirit and get up through the night with a call to pray. A highlight for her was a Missions trip to Luanda and Nairobi, Kenya, Africa in the summer of 2012 with her Grandson Tristan. She was able to experience life with children she had supported from the comforts of home firsthand.

Elizabeth's life was dedicated to God. She regularly opened her home to prayer meetings and Bible studies, either in a group session or one on one. It was well known that you could stop by or phone for prayer and she would drop everything to pray with you, or for you. She was dedicated to serving others her entire life. She was very involved with Samaritan's Purse, Christmas Shoe Boxes, and would rally everyone she could to fill a box for children less fortunate. She would pray blessings over the boxes before they left her care. Even through her stays in the hospital she prayed for the people around her. She was an intercessor. A perfect example of who Elizabeth was and what she stood for is in the movie, "War Room".

Elizabeth displayed her faith to everyone who knew her. Shortly after she celebrated her 50th wedding anniversary with Samuel she received the news she had Acute Myeloid Leukemia. She never stopped trusting for a miracle. She never stopped praying. She amazed everyone, with her strength and determination to be discharged from hospital and give her testimony at church on Sunday morning of Mother's Day 2015. She said shortly after her diagnosis, "If I receive a healing, I win because I have an amazing testimony. If I don't get healed, I win because I get to meet Jesus. Either way, I win". Elizabeth was called home on August 27, 2015.

Shortly after her passing, the family went through her Bible. Her roadmap. Her compass. It was beautiful to see how much was underlined. How many notes were written on the pages, not just about her, but scriptures that other people were given to stand on. In the pages was tucked a piece of paper containing her handwriting, lyrics to Alan Jackson's song, "I Wanna Stroll Over Heaven With You".

She was laid to rest on Sept 3, 2015, her 74th birthday. She celebrated it with Jesus.

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Elizabeth Johnston went to be with the Lord on August 27, 2015 in Chilliwack, BC at the age of 73.

Elizabeth is lovingly remembered by her husband, Samuel Johnston; children, Heather (Carl) Bier, Nigel Johnston and Elaine (Brian) Moore; grandchildren, Brandon, Terence, Broderick and Lance Bier, Ashley and Craig Johnston, Tristan, Colton and Kelaynna Kikkert and Robert and Matthew Moore; her 97 year old mother Sarah Thompson; sisters, Ruth (Stanley) Armstrong, Maureen Scott and May Benson; brother William (Pauline) Thompson and many nieces, nephews and cousins. She is predeceased by her father Isaac Thompson, sons Mark, Paul and Alan Johnston and daughter-in-law Leeanne Johnston.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 1:00 pm on Thursday, September 3, 2015 at Central Community Church, 46100 Chilliwack Central Rd; Pastor Craig Byers officiating.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests a shoe box be filled in Elizabeth’s name, donated to Samaritan’s Purse, or at https://secure.samaritan.ca/donation - Operation Christmas Child.