Johanna Elizabeth Szuba

Johanna was born in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan on January 15, 1952 to Marie Robinson (Batters) and Ashley Robinson. She grew up with two sisters, Pat and Deany, and a brother Robbie. Her favourite childhood memories were of spending summers with her Grandma and Grandpop Batters at the farm near Neepawa Manitoba.

At sixteen Jonny Robinson met Mervyn Szuba. They fell in love and within five years were a family of six. Their hands and home and hearts were full. The couple were blessed and grateful for the consistent support of their families who equally embraced the full house.

Jonny loved being a young mother and was a natural as a 1970’s and 80’s housewife. She danced and sang her way through the daily chores of home making, kept everything in order and always had lunch and supper on the table at the family home on Main Street. A number of feline companions to keep her company during the day came and went over the years. When the four kids hit high school and she did join the work force she found it mostly dull but made a few rewarding friendships along the way. It was around this time that she took in her ailing mother Marie who lived with the family for a number of years until her death. Then, as her children started moving out, the rooms began to fill with visiting grandchildren. Jonny was thrilled with the arrival of each and prided herself on being number one grandma and main babysitter.

Jonny and Mervyn very much enjoyed living close to Broadway and were known to entertain often and host regular jams in their garage on Main Street. But as empty nesters they saw themselves elsewhere and moved to Pike Lake with an early retirement in mind. Gardening, lovely views and family gatherings filled their years at Pike Lake.

After 41 years of marriage our mom ended up on her own for the first time ever in her late fifties. Back in the city, she found her independence and was soon thriving. She retired, immersed herself in her hobbies, and continued on with her newest feline companion Ford.

For the last 6 years she unfortunately suffered greatly from COPD that prevented her from doing some of her favourite things. It was gardening that she missed the most although she gave it her best until her last summer. She continued to read a new book each week and rarely missed her favourite local radio talk shows. She was a keen and curious listener and reader, with an unfailing memory. She never took to the internet but was known to ask whoever was around, “Google this for me, would you please”. It was only in her last week of life that pancreatic cancer was discovered. It was advanced, action was taken to keep her comfortable, and she did not suffer. After a brief hospital stay, she made it home to her kitty Ford to spend a final day visiting with him and her loving family.

Mom passed away peacefully at home, in her favourite spot among her plants, her books, her notes and keepsakes. She was surrounded by those who absolutely adored her. Loved ones who could not be there in person were there in their hearts and she knew.

Jonny was kind, wise, and courageous. She was always real. She was modest about how ridiculously funny she could be. She was not only our mother and grandmother, but our friend, confidant, protector, and biggest supporter. We simply enjoyed her company and she enjoyed ours. She will be missed every day.

Her loved ones want to thank everyone who she met and helped care for her in her final week. You all played an important role in her comfort and preserving her dignity as her dying wishes were met. A special heartfelt thank you to Prairie Stretcher Services. Our mom would have been happy that it was you who came back. As she would say, “Thank you ever so much”.

Jonny was predeceased by her mother Marie, father Ashley, mother-in-law Gaye, Gaye’s life partner Gavin, sister Pat, brother Robbie, ex-husband Mervyn, niece Jamie.

She leaves to mourn her daughter Rebecca and her two children Ashley and Dillon (Aliya) and their dad Greg; son Kory and his wife Molly; son Sean and his children Taylor (Daylen) and Brett and their mom Lynn; son Mathew; lifelong dearest friend and sister-in-law Linda; kitty Ford; sister Deany; sister-in-law Lori; nieces and nephews; friend and neighbor Aaron and his family.

At mom’s request there will be no public service. As such, an intimate family gathering has already taken place.

Arrangements entrusted to Derryl Hildebrandt.