Johanna Mortley-Wood

It is with deepest sadness that we announce Johanna Mortley-Wood passed away at the age of 71 on December 8th at Cambridge Memorial Hospital from complications related to breast cancer. Beloved wife, Johanna was married to Douglas Mortley-Wood for 52 amazing years, in which together they fulfilled their passion for travelling around the world, seeing cultures and animals most of us only dream of. A devoted mother to Charles and Janice Mortley-Wood, Charmaine Mortley-Wood, and grandmother to Logan. Mom constantly made many sacrifices for her family’s sake, and supported her family through 7 relocations to ensure that their lives were filled with joy in both small and large ways. Johanna was forever grateful for the opportunities that became available to her when she immigrated to Toronto Canada in 1966 from a small town in Zambia, and particularly grateful for the loving circle of friends she found when she and Doug retired and moved to Cambridge in 1998. She was passionate about supporting the city of Cambridge because the people here are so wonderful. Johanna touched many lives through her 18 years volunteering at the Cambridge Memorial hospital where she worked in the mammography clinic, among other jobs. She was also a strong supporter of the arts in Cambridge, which brought her hours of wonder, from watching the Dunfield performers, to listening to the symphony, or supporting local art events such as Knit the Bridge. Johanna loved the parks and trails around Cambridge and could often be seen with her little black poodle no matter what the weather, keeping the trails clean for everyone’s enjoyment, and collecting cans and bottles along the way to raise money for the Cambridge Humane Society. Her dear friends at the YMCA filled her days with joy, and she insisted on going to visit with them and continue her workouts right up until her last days because of how special these people were to her. She will be missed by all whose life she touched in so many ways. An open house celebration of Jo’s life will be held on her birthday January 29th from 2-5pm at the Quarry House on 377 George Street North, where we will toast a glass of wine in her memory. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Women’s Crisis Services Center of Waterloo Region (www.wcswr.org), specific to the rebuilding of Haven House in Cambridge and efforts to reduce the mortgage, in memory of Johanna’s own mother, and all women who need a second chance.