June 12, 1926 — April 24, 2024
In loving memory.
On April 24, 2024, at age 97, Dot passed away in Sundre, AB after a long and well lived life. She was born in Northallerton, England, the only child of Elsie and Ernest Thompson. She worked as a telephone operator and, during WW2, met and married Alvin Richard Johnston (Johnny) who was serving with the RCAF. After the war, she came west with her Canadian husband and eventually bought and farmed land near Sundre for over 70 years while raising eight children.
Dot had an amazing resiliency, adaptability, work ethic, sense of humor, and adventurous spirit which helped her conquer and thrive in a new and unfamiliar country and lifestyle. These traits stayed with her throughout her entire lifetime. Over the years, she read extensively, got her driver's license and drove herself until she was 93, taught herself computer skills and enjoyed working on Genealogy research. She was an avid gardener, loved growing flowers and even went into a partnership to open an antique shop in Sundre.
In addition to her already very busy life, Dot found time to extend her caring to her community where she petitioned to get a hospital in Sundre, helped to move the Anglican Church which was built in 1909 in Penhold to the town of Sundre, served on the Hospital and Ambulance Boards, was a founding member of Sundre and District Further Education, Nutrition for Learning, and Sundre Palliative Care. She was an active member of both the Sundre Legion and the Royal Purple for many years. She volunteered tirelessly of her time, expertise and energy to help her community and was awarded the Governor Generals Caring Canadian Award. Dot decided in 2019 at the age of 93 to move to Red Deer and there she enjoyed her lovely home and yard full of flowers until moving to LTC in Sundre where she resided until her passing.
Dot was a loving and devoted mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and great-great grandmother who cared deeply for her family. She is survived by her children: Bob Johnston (Brenda); Kathy Blain (Ron); Helen Jackson (George); Marion LeBreton (Claude); Ann Johnston (Julian); Linda Johnston; Fran Jourd’heuil (David); as well as many grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.
She was predeceased by twins, Mathew and Emily in 1950 who died shortly after birth, her husband Johnny in 2013, her eldest daughter, Elsie Barton in 2017 and her grandson, Ken Barton in 2021.There are many people besides her family who will greatly miss Dot's warm and ready smile, her beautiful and selfless spirit, her calm reassuring nature, and how she was always ready for a cup of tea and a chat. Anyone who met her was truly blessed to have known this beautiful soul.
A private family service will be held for Dot on June 26th, 2024 followed by a reception at 1:00 PM at the Sundre Elks Hall where all are invited to attend.
In lieu of flowers, we request you donate to Sundre Palliative Care.
