Dr. Margaret Johnson

95 -Eskasoni

This is a day of celebration of a beautiful woman's life. Our beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great grandmother, sister, aunt and friend, Dr. Margaret Johnson, passed away Saturday, Oct. 16, 2010, at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital, Sydney.

Born in Barra Head, she was the daughter of the late Michael and Jane(Peck) Paul. Left to mourn is her only surviving sister, Caroline Gould, We'koqma'q. Also left to mourn the loss are sons, Albert Julian, Gerald Johnson, Gerard (Regina)Johnson, Thomas(Elizabeth), Derek(Sharon) and Prentice all from Eskasoni and daughters, Joan Marshall, Carol (Russell)Marshall both from Chapel Island, Lottie Johnson, Elizabeth(Ryan) Paul, Patricia Dennis, Mary C.(Allan)Googoo all from Eskasoni. She also had 80 grandchildren, 153 great-grandchildren and 19 great-great grandchildren. Besides her parents, she was predeceased by her husbands, Albert Julian and John T, Johnson. Her children, Arthur Julian, Ralph Julian and Linda Moore and her brothers, William, Teddy, Peter and John N. Paul. Her sisters, Esther Johnson, Sarah Joe, Mary Googoo, Martha Lewis, Annie Tina Paul, and Bridget Ann Basque.

She was an expert in basket making, bead working and sewing and taught these crafts in Eskasoni, NS, Lennox Island, and Morell, P.E.I., Gesgapegiag, Quebec, Conne River, NFLD and surrounding Mi'kmaq communities. She had gone to many craft shows and demonstrations that showed her crafts such as EXPO ‘67 and The Smithsonian Museum, Washington, DC. She even voyaged from Halifax to New York on a Tall Ship and on arrival she demonstrated her basket making. She was instrumental in keeping the Mi'kmaw culture alive by passing on Mi'kmaq traditions such as language, prayer, dance, song, and waltes. She was a great historian and storyteller. She was the first woman Band Councillor in Eskasoni. She was on the Native Women Association, Eskasoni School Mi'kmaw Language Elders Committee, Home makers Club. She worked at the Mi'kmaw Lodge until she was 93 years old. She was the “Role Model of the Year” from the Eskasoni High school during the school year 2000-01. Eskasoni Fisheries named a fishing vessel "Dr. Granny" in her honour. She received an Honorary Doctorate from St. Francis Xavier University, Antigonish, in 1994.

She was a foster parent to many children since the 1950's and she continued to care for children up until recently. She was a nurturing mom to many. She will be greatly missed for her humour and she touched the lives of who ever met her. She will continue to be in many conversations in years to come.

Our mother will rest at the Gabriel Center starting on Thursday, October 21st, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. Funeral Mass will be on Saturday, October 23rd, 2010 at 10:30 a.m. at Holy Family Church with Father Martin MacDougall officiating.

Online condolences to www.twcurry.com

Once asked, “What is the one message you would give to your people?” She said, “Take care of each other, especially family, love each other and help each other. I helped many people and fed them. I’m happy to have helped everyone that I can.”