It is with the heaviest of hearts and the deepest of sorrow that we announce the passing of our dearly loved Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Sister and friend.

With her family by her side, Merita passed away peacefully on April 8, 2012 at the age of 72 after a lengthy and courageous battle with cancer.

Merita was born and raised in the District of Birch River, MB by her parents Ansley Errington“Bud” and Doris McMillan. She was the second oldest of four girls.

In 1959 she married Walter John Dale Johnston of Mafeking, MB and they spent the next 53 years building a life together working side by side and raising their children. They were blessed with four boys and 1 girl. They had the privilege of raising a foster daughter as well. Merita was the best wife, mother & grandma!

Merita held a few jobs over the years; she was a jail guard, nurse’s aide and administrative assistant. She retired from Manitoba Hydro in 1995 and enjoyed some great trips with Dale to Alaska, Arizona, B.C, and the East Coast.

Merita lived for her family. She loved to be outdoors doing all the activities she could with them from hunting, fishing and quading to working in the garden and fixing up the yard and house. She also loved to go camping as well and also take in events such as the Asham Stompers@ Reedy Creek, Jammin in The Jack Pine and Dauphin Country fest.

When the cold weather hit she would spend hours playing spades online with her daughter & friends until the curling started, then she would be busy and unavailable for card playing till curling season ended.

Merita was predeceased by her parents A.E. “Bud” & Doris McMillan, her parents – in law Campbell & Dorothy Johnston as well as 4 brother – in- laws and 1 sister-in- law, and 1 nephew.

She is survived by her beloved husband of 53 years Dale, 4 sons Ken (Rhonda), Wayne, Ronald (Lana), Eddie as well as 2 daughters Carol (Brad) & Carolynn (Arnold),grandchildren Marie, Kenneth, Stephanie, Jasmine, Tyler, Nicole, Courtney, Dale, Chris, Charlotte, Jen, Andrea, J.D. and numerous great-grandchildren. Also mourning her passing are her sisters Doreen (Bruce) Armstrong, Carolyn (Stan) Pielechaty, Marylyn Pullyblank, and sister-in laws Doris Johnston & Ethel Cottrell, numerous nieces and nephews, as well as many special friends.

As per Merita’s wishes cremation has taken place and a private family interment will be held at a later date. If friends so desire donations can be made in Merita’s name to The Palliative Care Program of St. Anthony’s Hospital, P.O. Box 240, The Pas, Mb, R9A 1K4 or The Ronald McDonald House in Winnipeg, 566 Bannatyne Ave., Winnipeg, Mb., R3A 0G7 or through the Dadson Funeral Home & Crematorium Ltd. of Flin Flon website. Online condolences can be made at www.dadsonsfuneralhome.com

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