Passed away peacefully just 25 days short of her 107th birthday!! She is the beloved wife of John R Johnston (deceased) and mother of John (Diane) and Don (Delcie); proud grandmother of Michaela (Jeff), Rebecca (Kevin), Shannon (Ryan), Jeffrey and Jennifer and several great-grandchildren. Wilda is the 3rd of 6 sisters, is survived by her sister Joan Robertson (Ralph G) of Barrie. She was predeceased by sisters Marion Harris (Cecil), Isabel Bowman (Tom), Enid (Peg) Springer (John), Margaret Oliver (Syd), and great-grandsons Landon and Harlow. Wilda will be lovingly remembered by numerous nieces, nephews, great and great-great nieces and nephews as Auntie Bill. With her sisters, Wilda was born on the family farm on Big Bay Point Rd in Innisfil to parents Selby and Ada Carr. She appreciated the outdoors, the value of honest, hard work and the ability to appreciate life having fun along the way. She taught school for several years in Innisfil, loved to spend time in the garden developing a very green thumb, enjoyed a daily walk walking and curling with her friends. She loved the birds, identifying many by sight and sound and defying any suggestion to cut down the “bird tree” on the farm that attracted these feathered friends. Wilda was a wonderful cook and there was always room at the table for anyone who dropped in to say hello. A lot of after school cookies were baked in her kitchen and delicious family meals in the kitchen at the farm. She hosted many harvest lunches for the neighborhood threshing crew. Knitting was also a favorite pastime and Wilda knit dozens of pairs of socks for her family and friends being sure feet were measured, patterns made and correct sizes given. Wilda challenged herself with a new word of the day, committing to memory its spelling and meaning and recording same and then challenged us to remember it as well. She would recite a poem from memory or record a passage or verse all of which we continue to find on slips of paper tucked amongst pictures and keepsakes and often at the most appropriate times. We will all miss her quick wit and humor as well as her ability to appreciate each day for what it brings and not complain about what isn’t or what might have been. Thank you to the loving family of staff at Grove Park Home, Maple Wing, in Barrie for their continued love and care for Wilda over this difficult year. A private family graveside service will be held at St Paul’s cemetery with a celebration of life held when we are able. If you so choose, donations may be made to Innisfil Historical Society or Grove Park Home, Barrie, Ontario.
I shall pass through this world but once. Any good that I can do or any kindness I can show to another human being, let it be now and not defer it. For I shall not pass this way again. ~ Stephen Grellet
