Mrs. Mary Isabel (Marybelle) Johnson

Mary Isabel (Marybelle) Johnson nee: Paton

It’s with heavy hearts that the family of Marybelle announce the passing of our sister, mother and grandmother peacefully after a short illness on August 14/14 at the Lake of Woods District Hospital, Kenora. She will be lovingly missed by her family, daughter Kathy (Wally), sons Doug (Elaine), Tom (Monique) and David (Sandra), grandchildren, Jeff, Amanda, Katie (Derek), Meghan (Justin), Zach, Shae-Lynne, Joshua, Brady and Melissa, sister Nora, brother David (Wendy) and sister in law Helene and brother in law Fred (Cathy) and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Marybelle was predeceased by parents, Dr. J.P. Paton and mother Mary Paton, husband Rev. R.H. Johnson, father and mother in law, Mel and Mabel Johnson, brothers Tom and Jim Paton.

Mom was born in 1930 and raised in Kenora, graduating from Kenora-Keewatin District High School. She went on to graduate from Toronto Western Hospital Nursing Program in 1954. During the long train rides from Kenora to Toronto, she met future husband Bob. Following completion of schooling, Marybelle and Bob lived in various locations in Alberta, with Bob preaching and Marybelle raising a family and following her nursing profession. They both ended their working careers in Winnipeg (St. Andrews Anglican Church and Deer Lodge Hospital), where they finished raising their family. Following retirement, Marybelle and Bob moved to their summer home on Coney Island on Lake of the Woods.

Throughout the years, Marybelle stayed in contact with many of the people that they came in contact with in Vulcan, Taber, Okotoks, Sherwood Park and Winnipeg. Her annual Christmas letter kept many of these people up on the Johnson household activities.

Mom was very active in her children and grandchildren’s lives. Mom spent many hours in hockey arenas, or on the pool deck, cheering on her children’s pursuits. Each of her grandchildren started life with a knitted blanket and a warm hug. She never forgot a birthday, and was present at every graduation and significant event. She especially enjoyed visiting with them and having them come to Coney Island. Grandma will be sorely missed by each of her grandchildren.

Mom and Dad made special friends and connections in Kenora and Coney Island. The Coney clan took special care of Mom after Dad passed, making sure that her groceries were lifted from the boat or other needs were taken care of. It was wonderful for Mom to come home to Kenora on retirement, and be joined by her sister and brother.

We would like to thank the nursing/medical staff at Lake of the Woods District Hospital 3rd Floor and ICU. In lieu of flowers, donations could be made in her name to the Lake of the Woods District Hospital Foundation, 21 Sylvan St. W., Kenora, Ont. P9N 0E3. Funeral will take place on Tuesday, August 26, 2014 at 1:00 pm at St. Alban’s Anglican Cathedral in Kenora.

Online condolences may be made at www.brownfuneralhomekenora.com

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