HELEN STEWART MUNDELL JOHNSTON

JOHNSTON, HELEN STEWART MUNDELL July 22, 1928 - December 14, 2022 Peacefully, and in her 95th year, Helen Johnston passed away at home with family by her side. Helen joins her loving husband of nearly 65 years, Donald Johnston, who died in February; and her beloved son, David Johnston, who died in 2007. Helen will be lovingly remembered by nieces, Mary Pickett (Rich Teets), Jane Eberly, Barb Ward (Terry), Maureen Gillies, Donna Gillies Marson (Kevin) and Wendy Johnston (Richard Camicioli); nephews, Stephen Gillies (Deanne), John Gillies, Daniel Johnston (Ann) and Michael Johnston; brother-in-law, Lockhart Johnston; and goddaughter, Connie Wilson. Helen is also survived by a large number of greatnieces and nephews, as well as their children. She will be missed by her extended family and many friends, including Betty, Pat and Marg, whom she cherished. Born in Hamilton, Helen attended Adelaide Hoodless Elementary School and Delta Collegiate, before graduating from Canada Business College in 1948. She was employed as a secretary and accountant at CHML for many years, aside from a brief period spent working for a travel company in Bermuda. Helen married Don in 1957, and together they shared many adventures: extensive travel that included Paris, England and Portugal, enjoying a timeshare in Cancun, cottaging at Muldrew Lake in Muskoka, winters in Florida, socializing with their many friends, attending countless live shows and musical performances, and dancing at the Brant Inn in Burlington. Helen and Don retired to Oakville, enjoying many happy years at their condo in Glen Abbey. Helen loved to have a good time and was always dressed for the occasion. She had an outfit for every major holiday (an autumn-themed cardigan for Thanksgiving, a poinsettia sweater at Christmas, etc.). In the summer months, you could often find her lounging in the sun on the dock at Muldrew with a big smile on her face, a cocktail glass in one hand and something to read in the other, usually in a stylish, strapless bathing suit and sunglasses, with Don at her side. Helen was funny, smart and well-read, keeping up with the news (a good thing, because Don was a reporter at CHML and later, news director at CFRB Toronto). She loved art, music, Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy, home decorating, playing cards, knitting, swimming, golfing and cheering on the Hamilton Tiger Cats. Helen adored Don, who doted on her always. Helen volunteered with many organizations over the years including The Canadian Cancer Society and The Salvation Army. She also volunteered as a driver for families who had children with developmental delays like her son, David. Don and Helen regularly made the long drive to visit David at Cedar Springs in Chatham, Ontario, where he received full-time care. They were thrilled when he was able to move to Oakville as an adult and they could see him much more often. David always smiled broadly when he saw his parents, who took him for long drives in the country or on picnics. In addition to David and Don, Helen was predeceased by her parents, James Edward Mundell and Mary Stewart Mundell; sister, Jean Mundell Pickett; brother-in-law, Bruce Pickett; and brother, James Mundell, who died in infancy. She was also predeceased by sister-in-law, Anne Johnston (nee Quaid); brother-in-law, Don Gillies; and sister-in-law, Mimi Gillies (nee Johnston). A Celebration of Life for Helen Johnston will take place at Smith's Funeral Home on Guelph Line in Burlington, on January 7, 2023. A visitation will begin at noon with funeral services at 1:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Canadian Cancer Society or Community Living Oakville.