Remembering Penelope Elizabeth Johnston

Left us peacefully in her 82nd year while receiving excellent medical care at Sunnybrook Palliative Care Unit. Predeceased by her loving parents Dr. William and Lillian Johnston, formerly of London, Ont. Sadly missed by her two brothers Dr. Richard (Wendy) Johnston and Ian (Marilyn) Johnston. Much loved Aunt of Andrew, Beth (Tyler), Mary (John Hugh), William, Alexander (Lara) and Robin (Emily). Loving Great Aunt to Calvin, Claire and Henry. Penny grew up in London and attended London Central and UWO. She worked briefly in London, England before settling in Toronto. For many years Penny lived in the Hugh Garner Co-op in the neighbourhood of Church and Wellesley where she developed many friendships and treasured her community. penny’s second home was Orillia where she loved the Mariposa Festival, and the downtown shops, especially Apple Annie’s. She also valued and loved her extended family of cousins. Through the years Penny was a supply teacher, a freelance writer of travel and history, a visual artist and in recent years she self-published four short mystery novels, set in Orillia. In Toronto, Penny was proud to participate in many activities, including “Sisters in Crime”, the YMCA, the William Morris Society and the Arts and Letters Club. Penny was a free spirit, an entertaining storyteller, an adventurous world traveller, a hopeless romantic and had lots of joie de vivre . No one loved a party more than Penny and she always arrived in a “colourful” outfit. A celebration of Penny’s life will be held in Toronto at a later date. “Live life to the fullest. If the front door is locked, try the back door. If that fails, try a ladder.” Arrangements entrusted to the Doolittle Chapel of Carson Funeral Home, 54 Coldwater St. E., Orillia (705) 326-3595.