Evelyn Rose (Ward) Johnson

August 15 will always be a special day that we will all remember. On this day in 1930,

90 years ago, Aunt Evelyn was born. She was the daughter of Francis and Annie Ward

and a baby sister to Bill and Gord. She was born and raised in Toronto, where she lived

at 37 Firstbrook for the majority of her life. Aunt Eve started learning the piano when she

was nine years old, a hobby that she carried on throughout her life. She’d always take a

moment or two to play the piano at our family get togethers and sometimes she would

share this with her great niece Elizabeth, who also had a passion for the piano. Aunt

Eve didn’t like school and it was Gord’s job to take her to school and stay with her until

she entered and then pick her up afterwords.

Aunt Eve talked about her being the baby of the family and especially with having two

older brothers. She would tell us that they picked on her and left her out, but that she

was also a cry baby and would get them in trouble. She loved her brothers very much

and was always worrying about them, even as adults. She often talked about dressing

up her cat and pushing him around in a stroller when she was a young girl.

Aunt Eve had many different jobs over the years like key punching, switch board

operator, a receptionist and working in the office of a private school, but the one I

remember is her being a lunch supervisor at Bowmore Road Public School. We would

walk and meet her there and get a small bag of potato chips. It was always a special

treat.

Aunt Eve was blessed to meet Charlie Johnson in February 1972 after a few of her

friends thought they would be a good couple and she married her sweetheart 3 years

later on February 15 1975. Unfortunately, cancer took Charlie not even 2 years after

they were married. While they were only given a short time together Aunt Eve kept in

touch with his kids, Gary and Debbie and Gary’s daughter Chloe. I remember Chloe

staying with Aunt Eve when she moved to Canada from Australia when she was a

young adult going to school here. They still called and checked in on Aunt Eve. This

goes to show you what a wonderful person Aunt Eve was.

Aunt Eve had many friends from around the neighbourhood from living there so long. A

few were Betty Grey, who lived across the street. Aunt Eve always counted on her for

the gossip. Mrs. Dunlop, who lived around the corner from her, was alway good for a

visit and someone Aunt Eve often talked about.

Aunt Eve was known for so many things. Her rotary phone that was always in her

kitchen at the table. She used this phone to keep in touch with a lot of people and quite

a few of them were from England and Australia. Aunt Eve had the opportunity to go to

England when she was younger for 3 months and then again with Cathy and her

daughters for a couple of weeks. I’m sure there were other trips as well. Our relatives

also came over for visits and stayed with Aunt Eve. Aunt Eve always knew the news in

the family and you could always count on her to know who was who and how they were

related. Aunt Eve loved showing off her hometown and beautiful city that she loved.

When my sister and I were younger we would go and stay with Aunt Eve for a week in

the summer. It was our city time and Aunt Eve would take us on the street cars, buses

and subways. Something we didn't get living in the country. She would take us to the

beach and we’d walk around down town. It was always a holiday my sister and I looked

forward to.

Aunt Eve may have never had her own kids and I know she would have loved too but it

was not in her cards. However, she was happy to have her nieces Fran, Cathy, Donna,

Karen and Joan and all of her great nieces and nephews, along with her great great

nieces and nephews. She loved having her niece Donna and her family close by. She

would talk about going there for dinners and how nice it was that they would pick her up.

She always went for Christmas and loved being with them at that special time of year.

Aunt Eve always had such interesting Christmas trees. They would always make you

think of a Charlie Brown Christmas tree. New Years Day was always a big celebration

and one most of us remember as a very special time of year. We would sit around the

table and have a feast; the kids would do the dishes and then we would all play a game

of cards or a board game. We would pass around a box of chocolate and listen to Aunt

Eve and Grandpa bicker about the rules.

Aunt Eve loved knitting and would always be knitting for the new babies that we were

about to welcome into our family or for the premies at the hospital. She enjoyed

watching All My Children at lunch time. She loved visiting her brother at the farm and

going to stay with other family members. She would take the bus because she didn't

drive, but that never bothered her.

Aunt Eve was always so happy to see everyone and was always so positive. I don’t

ever remember seeing her mad. Whether she was coming to stay for a few nights or

you were just going for an afternoon visit, she was always so happy to see you. The

kids always made her day. Aunt Eve always reminded you that you could visit her any

time, but that she understood how busy people were and just to go see her when you

could. She would be happy to make dinner and she remembered as kids we liked the

ground beef mixed with vegetable soup that she made and would occasionally still

make it when we went for dinner as adults. There are so many great stories about Aunt

Eve and I had the pleasure of hearing more over the last week.

Mom and I were very lucky to get to spend some time with Aunt Eve on her 90th

Birthday. She was very happy that day and even though she was so surprised to hear

that she was 90, she was thrilled with her cards from our family and the gifts that mom

gave her. She thought the Klennex, soaps and candies were a real treat. She was

always so appreciative.

A generation is gone, but will never before forgotten. To say Aunt Eve was special is an

understatement. She was one very special lady. You were loved so much and made all

of us better for knowing you. You will always be forever in our hearts Aunt Eve.

* * * * * * * * * *

Evelyn Rose Johnson (nee Ward) passed away peacefully the afternoon of Tuesday October 27, 2020. Predeceased by her husband Charlie. Lovingly missed by her nieces Frances, Cathy, Karen, Joan and Donna. Cherished Aunt to great nieces and nephews. Sadly missed Auntie to Great-great nieces and nephews. Greatly missed by family in England and Australia. Will be missed by many friends and neighbours. Special thanks to the care-givers and Staff at Extendicare Rouge Valley.

In lieu of flowers please consider donating to the Alzheimer Society of Canada or the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto.