Merilyn Emily Johnston

Merilyn Emily Johnston entered into rest on Saturday, November 2, 2013 at the Brockville General Hospital after bravely battling a lengthy illness. She was 79.

Merilyn, daughter of Eve and George Harold Mallory, was born in Brockville, Ontario. She spent her early years at the family home at 223 King Street East, an address that remained dear to her until the very end.

As a child, Merilyn spent her summers on the St. Lawrence River, learning to sail at her father’s side, and later with childhood friend Judy McLaren (now Caldwell), who remained a lifelong friend. Long-time friend Jill Flanagan recalls a teenage Merilyn partaking in summer fun, jumping off the roof of the Auld’s boathouse and splashing down into the warm river water with her friends.

After the death of her father, Merliyn, then age 11, went off to boarding school. She and her mother later relocated to the United States when Eve married Colonel Ralph Jackson of Alton, Illinois. That was where Merilyn attended high school.

Upon graduation, she returned to Canada, enrolling in Brockville Business College to study office administration. Merilyn worked hard, learning to type 80 words per minute on a manual typewriter, a skill of which she was always proud.

After earning her college diploma, Merilyn accepted a position as a court reporter at the Brockville Courthouse. But after a year, she was eager for adventure and made her way to New York City, landing a secretarial position with a real estate firm in Manhattan. During that time, she and her future husband, Peter Johnston, started seeing one another regularly. Peter often travelled to the Big Apple on business, taking Merilyn to Broadway shows and evenings out on the town. They were married in 1958 and settled down in Brockville.

Although raising four children was a full-time job, Merilyn always managed to find the time to serve her community, volunteering at Commonwealth Public School, helping children with learning disabilities learn to read. Later, Merilyn and Peter funded a pilot program for students with learning disabilities at Thousand Islands Secondary School.

Merilyn was a faithful member of the congregation of Saint Lawrence Anglican Church, where she served on a number of committees. Her volunteer work through the church included assisting refugees resettle in Brockville, organizing successful fundraising walkathons for the Operation Harvest Sharing Food Bank, and helping to host various church functions.

As devoted as she was to her friends, church and community, Merilyn was happiest when surrounded by her children and grandchildren at the Johnston family home at Fulford Point. Whether swimming with the grandkids or hosting family dinners, Merilyn loved bringing everyone together to celebrate holidays, birthdays, and other special occasions.

When Peter was diagnosed with lung cancer, Merilyn was at his side for every step of his illness.

Merilyn has now joined her beloved Peter and will be greatly missed by her children John (Anne), Geoff, Pam, and Gwynne; and by her grandchildren, Eve, Kara, Melissa, and Adam. She is also survived by her sister Anna Stuart of Windsor, Ontario.

The Johnston family would be grateful for donations in Merilyn’s memory to the Operation Harvest Sharing Food Bank, Saint Lawrence Anglican Church, and the Brockville and District Hospital Foundation palliative care unit.

Family and friends are invited to pay their respects at the Irvine Funeral Home, 4 James Street East, Brockville from 7-9 p.m. Tuesday, November 5th. A Ceremony in Celebration of Merilyn's life will be held at the Parish of St. Lawrence Anglican Church, 80 Pine Street, Brockville, on Wednesday, November 6thh at 2:00 p.m. Interment will take place at Oakland Cemetery.