On December 17, 2021, at age 101, with her granddaughter Karla at her side, Roena Marion Johnston peacefully passed away into the loving arms of her Saviour.

Roena was born, September 22, 1920 at her farm home near Miami, Manitoba. She was the youngest daughter of John and Elizabeth Hunt. She had two sisters, Mildred and Ella. Life on the farm was not for her, so at age 17 she moved to Winnipeg to begin her life as a city girl.

While working at Eaton's Mail Order, a job she loved, she met and married Kenneth Johnston, April 17, 1943. The family was made complete with the birth of two daughters Beverly and Sharyn. With Roena and family at his side, Ken passed away January 20, 1975, leaving Roena to navigate life alone for over 45 years.

She was involved in her church, Calvary Temple. She filled various roles, such as a greeter for Pastor Barber’s Sunday School class, Sunday School teacher, and served on numerous executive committees.  

On March 30,2015 she moved to Lindenwood Manor, thriving there, enjoying the meals and the people.  When family would visit would she always want to take them down to the dining room to buy them a special meal.  

Boarding an airplane on September 16, 2016, she arrived in Edmonton to attend her sister’s 100th birthday. Staying together they loved the five day party which included a celebration of Roena’s 96th birthday.  This would be the last time the sister’s spent time together.

In April 2020, Roena moved to Golden Links Lodge and this would be her final move.  

She will always be remembered for her love for her children Bev (Danny), Sharyn (Paul), grandchildren Kent (Julie), Karla (Arno), Dustin (Lauren), and Shanda, including eight great grandchildren Mitchell, Kahlan (Heungchul), Connor, Gavin, Lincoln, McKenna, Lane and Mathias. Her practise of kneeling twice a day to pray for each family member by name will be greatly missed.

Also missed will be her apple pie, roast beef dinners, fudge, Christmas Pudding, knitted afghans, sweaters, scarves, and an immaculately clean home.  Roena kept in contact with friends and family by way of phone, often talking to her sister Mildred over 3000 minutes a month. Together they had over one hundred years of memories to share.

During her life span, Roena was known by many nicknames including, Snowball, Auntie Weena, Namie, and RJ. But most of all she will be remembered as a loving mother, grandmother, aunt, and friend.

When tomorrow starts without me
And I'm not here to see,
If the sun should rise and find your
Eyes, filled with tears for me,
I know how much you love me,
As much as I love you,
And each time you think of me,
I know you'll miss me too.
When tomorrow starts without me,
Don't think we're far apart,
For every time you think of me,
I'm right there in your heart.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Oasis Church, 940 Elmhurst Road, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3R 3X7.