Gertrude Marion Johnston

1913-2019

At 106, Gertie passed away peacefully in her care home on October 2, 2019. On May 5, 1913 she was born in Kelowna. In her early years she was involved in dance, track, basketball and rowing. She worked several jobs plus gave many volunteer hours to her beloved community. In her later years she enjoyed curling and became an avid golfer plus loved travelling the world and gardening.

In 1998 her husband, Harold, predeceased her. She is survived by her 3 children; Patricia, Byron (Amy) and Wendy (Dick Cowley); 6 grandchildren Sarah (Ian Marcotte), Tiffany, Crosby (Rosie), Bryce (Becky), Katelyn (Trevor Engelsmeier), Kendall (Zach Holland); 6 great grandchildren Isaac, Ella, Mila, Victoria, Timo and Sam.

Please visit www.valleyviewfuneralhome.com to see more details of her amazing 106 years.

A memorial service will be held at Valleyview Funeral Home, 165 Valleyview Road Kelowna, at 10am on Tuesday October 15, 2019.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to: Dr Know Chapter IODE c/o M. Tanguay, 1425 Ellis St. Kelowna BC V1Y 2A3.

A timeline of Gertie’s life:

1907: Her father, Byron McDonald, arrived in Kelowna to become the manager of the Farmer’s Exchange. In 1913, he established the BC Growers Ltd. In 1925, he built the first car dealership (General Motors) on the northeast corner of Bernard Avenue and Pandosy.

1913: She was born the middle daughter of 3 girls.

1930-32: At Kelowna High School, she was part of the girls basketball and track teams. She also was involved in dance

1934: Competed in rowing at the Kelowna Regatta.

1937: Became a member at Kelowna Golf and Country Club and golfed until she was 94 and walked the course!

1940: At the age of 27, Gertie married her high school sweet heart, Harold Johnston, after 10 years of dating.

1940 - 1950: Worked as a telephone operator, fruit picker/sorter and a grocery store co-owner.

May 1943: Formed the first IODE chapter in Kelowna. The Imperial Order of the Daughter of the Empire, is a charitable organization, founded in 1900. She was an active member for 70 years, until she was 100.

November 1943: Daughter Patricia is born.

April 1945: Son C. Byron Johnston is born.

June 1947 - 1984: 37 years volunteering for the Regatta.

1950-1958: Sunday School Superintendent at the First United Church

1951: Daughter Wendy is born.

1955 -1968: Involved in curling.

1963 - 1973: Worked for a welcome service where she visited newcomers to Kelowna and introduced them to the community.

1969 - 2004: 35 years of volunteering for Meals on Wheels.

1976 - 2004: She loved to travel. California 3 times, Acapulco, England, Seoul Korea, Hong Kong, London & Paris, Panama Canal Cruise, Costa Rica, Mexico twice, Las Vegas, Mediterranean Cruise, 3 Alaska cruises and 4 times to the Hawaiian Islands.

1989 - 2015: Participated in the Terry Fox Run 27 times.

1990: She was nominated for Woman of the Year Award (Sarah Donalda Treadgold Memorial Award) for the city of Kelowna.

She also volunteered for many other organizations, such as BC Summer Games, Salvation Army, Kiwasa (Ladies Kiwanis), Kelowna Golf and Country Club, Kelowna Curling Club and canvassed for several foundations.

August 2019: Attended the wedding of her granddaughter, Katelyn, at Fitzpatrick Family Estate Winery.

Gardening was one of her passions as well as, playing the piano/organ, knitting & crocheting for the IODE but her family always came first.

She was an inspiration to all that knew her. The “Energizer Bunny”, she just kept going and giving.