Mary Elizabeth Johnston

November 13, 1944 - September 22, 2024

Born November 13, 1944 Mary Elizabeth (Betty) passed away peacefully at the Lake of the Woods District Hospital with her family at her side.

Born in Emo, Ontario Betty was the second of three children. She was predeceased by her parents George and Mary and her great nephew Michael.

Betty is survived by her older brother Robert, niece Lori and great nephews Evan and Aidan; nephew David (Lisa) and great nieces and nephews Adam, Jordan, Reagan and Alex. She is also survived by her younger sister Georgina (Mike), niece Montana and great niece and nephew Hunter and Everett. Her favourite thing was hearing stories about Everett and Hunter. Both children gave her such joy and put a huge smile on her face.

Betty attended public school in Vermilion Bay where she spent the most memorable time of her life. It was here that she enjoyed tagging along with her brother and his friends, proving that she was as tough in the playground as they were.

Betty went on to go to school in Dryden and Kenora where she attended KKDHS. After high school she graduated from McKellar School of Nursing in Thunder Bay, Ontario. She went on to nurse at Toronto General Hospital and then Vancouver General Hospital.

While working in Vancouver Betty took an interest in Natural Healing and began studying alternative methods. Every chance she got she enjoyed offering advice hoping to help guide you to better health with both natural and traditional medicine.

Betty was no stranger to outpost nursing. She worked at several of the northern reserves in Ontario…Attawapiskat and Pikangikum to name a few.

She was always a free spirit. Home to her came in many forms as she loved to experience unconventional living calling her VW van and a Teepee on Salt Spring Island home for a short period of time.

Betty moved back to Kenora in 2004 after being diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa, a disease that would eventually leave her legally blind. However this did not hold her back as she faced the challenge head on.

Her biggest joy in life was her beautiful rescue cat Coco. When Coco passed away she left a huge void in Betty’s life.

The family would like to thank all of the nurses and doctors at the Lake of the Woods District Hospital, the amazing team in the Chemo department, and the Thunder Bay Cancer Care team. Also a thank you to her friend and caregiver Julie (daughter Destiny), her church family and Pastor Dave from the Water of Life Church.

As per Betty’s wishes no service will be held.