Joyce Johnson

June 6, 1937- May 1, 2017

It is with heavy hearts that her family announces the loss of their dear mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Joyce was born on June 6, 1937 and died on May 1, 2017. She fought a courageous battle against her illness right until the end. Her five adult children were by her side as they whispered in her ear, kissed her cheek and held her hands when she took her last breath.

Joyce was an Ojibwe woman who loved her Jingle Dress dancing first, then her Country/Rock music next, and singing and dancing to her favourite live bands. She had numerous friends all over the country, mostly from her years of travelling and dancing at powwows. She loved watching her Toronto Maple Leafs hockey games on TV. Joyce was also known as the elder who opened with a traditional prayer and smudge, for two memorial walks held in memory of missing and murdered Indigenous women in Thunder Bay, ON.

She was loved dearly by her family and her many friends, just as she adored everyone that crossed her path.

She was predeceased by both of her parents, four brothers and two sisters. She was also predeceased by her youngest daughter Sandra Kaye Johnson, husband John Johnson Jr, and son Sterling Johnson.

She is survived by her eldest son Ira (fiance Tanya), and her son Conrad Johnson, eldest daughter Gloria (Walden) and two other daughters, Marcella and Sharon, Grandchildren Curtis, Kevin, Candace, Christopher and Derek, great-grandchildren Jade, Dakota and Madison.

She is also survived by her eldest sister, Liza Shebagegit (Tom) and her brother Robert Kabatay.

Honorary pallbearers were chosen by family at the traditional service on the Seine River First Nation

Online condolences may be made in care of www.greenfuneralhomefortfrances.com.