Árdís - 01.01.1954, Page 78

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ÁRDÍS
Valgerður Johnston
Born January 22, 1877 — Died June 26, 1954
First Lutheran Ladies Aid lost a
valued member in Mrs. Valgerdur
Johnston, who passed on in June,
1954. She had been active, both in
the Ladies Aid and as a member of
the choir, for many years. When
she became ill, everyone missed
her. She had demonstrated her
worship in manifold ways by her
loyalty and ceaseless service. She
learned early to love choral music
and to her church she rendered
faithful service in the choir.
She was born in Iceland in 1877
and came to Winnipeg in 1883,
making her home mainly with her
cousin, Mr. Sigfus Anderson, Lydia St. At Christmas gatherings
there was always music around the organ at the Anderson home
and the singing of our Icelandic songs.
She loved music. In 1904 she married Thorstein Johnston, a
musician and teacher of the violin. Two of their seven children
made music their profession: Violet, who gave us many an hour of
enjoyment at concerts, before moving to New York where she died
some years ago; Arnold, who teaches víolin in Peterboro, Ont;
Leonard, Winnipeg; Edward, Vancouver; Mrs. Vernon Hildahl
(Evelyn), Mrs. Ben Gibson (Anna), Mrs. L. R. Lower (Clara), all of
Winnipeg. There are nine grandchildren and three great-grand-
children. She was a good mother, beloved of her family. As a life-
time member of First Lutheran Church and as a member of the
Ladies Aid and Choir she used her gifts in the service to these
organization.
She was a true pioneer, expressing the quiet, unobtrusive
qualities of service which go to build a good society and her in-
fluence through 71 years of residence in Winnipeg will not be
forgotten.
Margaret Stephensen