JUDITH ANN JOHNSON

“Beauty, truth, and rarity; grace in all simplicity.”

–William Shakespeare

These words by Shakespeare echo in our thoughts as we report the peaceful passing of Judith Ann Johnson on January 13, 2026.

Judith was predeceased by her father Fred Tretiak; her mother Mary (Pasechko) Kaminski; her sisters, Irene Willison and Patricia Casey; and her brother Alex Tretiak. She will be sorely missed by her husband Dennis Johnson; children, Sharon and Brian; grandson Oliver; sister-in-law Stephanie Tretiak; and nephew Greg Willison.

Born in Winnipeg, Judith grew up in Charleswood where she spent many of her happiest childhood hours exploring the natural beauty of the woods behind their family home. As a teen, she moved with her siblings to Crescentwood and graduated from Kelvin High School with distinction in 1959. She met beloved life-partner Dennis at Air Force Day, 1956; after an extended courtship stretching between Canada and the U.S., they wed in Rockville, Maryland in 1967 and moved back to Winnipeg where they raised a family.

Judith’s interests and careers were varied. She earned a BA in Sociology at the University of Winnipeg (1986) and pursued an eclectic working career over her lifetime: salesperson at the Bay, stewardess at TCA, lab tech at hospitals in Winnipeg, Vancouver, Toronto, and Bethesda Maryland, poetry editor at Herizons magazine, executive secretary at the U of M, and founder of Leatherleaf Books in Winnipeg.

Judith’s true passions, however, lay in the creative arts which she pursued intermittently throughout her working career and with purpose after retirement: illustrated children’s stories, textiles, published poetry, and visual art. Her glorious landscape paintings and still lifes in oils, acrylics, and watercolours were exhibited and sold at galleries around Winnipeg including the WAG, the Wayne Arthur Gallery, and the Medea Gallery where she was a member.

An avid gardener and birdwatcher with an intense love of nature, Judith frequently visited her cottages at Sandy Hook and Ingolf and hiked with Dennis at Assiniboine Forest to enjoy the seasons. Being widely read she was a superlative conversationalist, and although a very private person, was always warm and supportive to those in need. Judith loved and was deeply loved by her family. We will forever feel her loss.

A private celebration of life is being planned.

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ETHICAL DEATH CARE

Cremation & Life Celebrations

1833 Portage Avenue - Winnipeg

204-421-5501 - www.ethicaldeathcare.com

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