HEATHER DAWN JOHNSON

(née ROBERTSON)

November 3, 1955 – May 9, 2022

With heavy hearts, we announce that Heather Johnson passed away on May 9, 2022, in Misericordia Place at the young age of 66 years. Heather was diagnosed with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP) in 2015 which is an affliction that is not well understood, but is terminal. 

 

Heather is survived by extended family members, with Terri and Steve being the closest to Heather, and many dear friends, with Nina, Eric, Claire, Linda and Harry, Linda and Jimmy, Tony and Gary, Kathy and Marcel being genuine friends in Heather’s life until the end.

 

Heather is predeceased by everyone in her immediate family including her father, David, her sister, Brenda, her mother Kathleen, and her brother, Tom. Heather was the last living member of this Robertson clan.

 

Heather was a remarkably caring and compassionate person with a multitude of passions, interests, and accomplishments. In 1980 Heather began a long career in the Pharmacy department of the St. Boniface Hospital where friendships were developed with many people. Heather was a breath of fresh air to many coworkers and, not only was Heather’s ability to work professionally respectable and admirable, Heather’s ability to entertain outside of work was memorable, particularly for those people with whom Heather worked with. Heather’s relationships with some of her coworkers extended into life by becoming lifelong friendships.

 

Heather loved music, movies, particularly old movies with unusual twists, and reading numerous books. Typically when a person went to visit Heather, she was watching a movie or reading a book up until her final farewell. On her final stretch Heather was happiest after a visit from her dear friends.

 

Midway through Heather’s career Heather developed a passion for travelling in conjunction with Marcel’s continued foray in the computer programming field. Heather visited Marcel countless times travelling to places like the Maritimes, Florida, New York City, Boston, and New Hampshire. Marcel was impressed with the strength of Heather’s friendship and Heather’s unrelenting desire to see new places and experience new situations. Whether it was watching a Bette Davis movie, going to one of her friends’ cottages at the lake, camping at Birds Hill, Blue Lake, Lake of the Woods or Rushing River, enjoying a Christmas show by the Radio City Rockettes in Times Square in New York or going to the top of the World Trade Center, Heather had an unrelenting desire to see or do something new.

 

Heather’s desires didn’t leave her satisfied with settling in one location or not challenging her own abilities. Heather had a desire to see the world and learn and grow. In the summer Heather cherished going to Linda and Harry’s cottage at Lac Du Bonnet Lake, Nina and Carlee’s cottage at Hillside Beach, seeing the world below by parachuting from 20,000 feet above, gazing at the view from a cliff in Clarendon, New Brunswick, or spending a day at the beach in Panama City, Florida. Marcel remembers Heather accompanying him to an isolated lake in rural New Brunswick where they were the only people at the lake and where an abandoned cottage sat empty, but still felt like home. And many think it was a bit late in life, but Heather realized the benefit of achieving the personal goal of receiving her Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of Winnipeg. Heather’s motto was similar to one stated in the movie Galaxy Quest - Never give up, never surrender.

 

As for the future, Heather was adamant about being a fan of the Star Trek series. Heather’s philosophy on life coincided with the many premises that are addressed by space-faring civilizations and are the foundations of the Star Trek series. Heather’s spirit will definitely be participating in the achievements of the future of humankind.

 

Heather’s close friends kindly requests that all who knew her take a few minutes to honour her memory by watching the photo-biography above. Please, also consider sharing your own photos, memories, and stories by making use of the comment section on this page.

 

In lieu of a ceremony celebrating her life, Heather has asked that you listen to those songs that were closest to her heart. In honor of Heather, Marcel has created a Youtube Playlist to include these songs and Marcel (mblanchettenb@gmail.com) will gladly share this Playlist with you.

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Whiter Shade Of Pale - Procol Harum

Free Bird - Lynryd Skynyrd

Hummingbird - BB King

Tears In Heaven - Eric Clapton

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These songs have brought several more to mind so an additional public Youtube Playlist has been created to further honor Heather’s love of music. Marcel (mblanchettenb@gmail.com) will gladly share this Playlist with you as well.

 

Last Song - Edward Bear

Thank You - Dido

Blowing In the Wind - Peter, Paul, and Mary

 

In Accordance with Heather’s wishes, cremation has taken place and no formal service will be held.

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I’m Free

 

Don’t grieve for me, for now I’m free,

I’m following the path God has laid for me.

I took his hand when I heard his call,

I turned my back and left it all,

I could not stay another day,

to laugh, to love, to work or play.

Tasks left undone must stay that way,

I found peace at the close of day.

If my parting has left a void,

then fill it with remembered joys,

A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss,

O yes, these things I too will miss.

Be not burdened with times of sorrow,

I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow.

My life’s been full, I’ve savoured much,

Good family, good times, a loved one’s touch.

Perhaps my time seemed all too brief,

Don’t lengthen it with undue grief,

Lift up your hearts, and peace to thee,

God wanted me now. From pain I’m free.

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