Janice "Terri" Teresa Johnson

It is with tremendous sadness that we announce the passing of Terri Johnson on March 14th, 2021.  Terri passed away peacefully at home at the age of 69. She was courageous, fierce, brilliant, loving and full of life.  

Born on December 22nd, 1951 in Calgary, Alberta, Terri was predeceased by her parents Dale & Jo Johnson and nephew, Ranna Johnson.  She is survived and lovingly remembered by her children, Chris (Yupin) & Jocelyn (Clint) who she loved immensely, and her adoring grandchildren, Owen, Aaron & Camryn. 

Terri is also survived by her brother, Brett (Kirsten), and sisters, Dariel (Joe), Kasey (Ken) and Cindy along with her many nieces and nephews, all of whom she loved dearly.

Terri (Janice Teresa) grew up in Edgemont Village, North Vancouver, after moving with her family from Alberta. In the 1970’s she left Vancouver and returned to Alberta where she started her own family, eventually moving to Ontario in the 1980’s.  She always longed to be back on the West Coast and returned to North Vancouver with Chris & Jocelyn in 1991.

She spent many years working in the insurance industry in a leading role at Gore Mutual Insurance. She thrived working with her Gore family where she made lifelong friends, who always remained an integral part of her life.  She loved what she did and was always striving to improve.

Terri was an overachiever, and nothing was more thrilling than learning and educating.  She taught as an instructor in the Chartered Insurance Professional Program and also accepted an offer to teach in the General Insurance & Risk Management program at BCIT. These were her best years and she looked forward to every day with her students - whom, she will tell you, taught her just as much as she taught them.

Terri read - all the time. There’s no greater education than reading.  She volunteered. Terri founded the BC chapter of the Women in Insurance Cancer Crusade and volunteered with Canadian Blood Services and Shoreline clean ups regularly. She travelled - extensively, around the world, with her many amazing friends and family.  Her greatest joy was in travelling. She planned individual trips for each of her 3 grandchildren, designed just for them, and educated them about the world along the way. Life lessons from Nana.  

Terri loved her family with every ounce of her being and MOM and NANA were her favourite titles. Her grandkids brought her pure joy.  Owen, her soul mate, was always by her side, even on her last day. Aaron explored the world with her and they talked about cars endlessly. Camryn, who she absolutely loved for having a mind of her own, always kept her laughing.

She loved cruising, top down, in her title blue convertible and wandering all corners of the North Shore trails with her puppy, Lily. She lived life to the fullest and on her on her terms. If you were lucky enough, you got to join her for part of the ride. 

“Life is for living and, the way I figure it, I won’t be able to do all that I want to do in one lifetime anyway, so I don’t want to waste any time.  Life is like a gas tank and I want to keep mine filled to the brim!” - Terri 

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Lions Gate Hospital Chemotherapy Clinic, or to the WICC (Women in Insurance Cancer Crusade) BC chapter, under the Terri Johnson Tribute page : https://wicc.ca/donate/