Johnston, Fern Marie
Fern Johnston of Meaford passed away peacefully at Brightshores Owen Sound Hospital on Monday, June 22, 2026 at the age of 84.
Born in Owen Sound on April 19, 1942, a daughter of the late Gordon and Pansy (nee Parker) Cathrae.
Fern was predeceased by her beloved husband of more than 56 years, Wallace Arthur ‘Wally’ Johnston, on December 25, 2021.
She was the kindhearted and loving mother of Marie Wilson (Ron) and Ed Johnston (Carolyn), and proud grandma of Adam and Lucas Johnston; Nathan (Mary), Jonathan, Mathew and Bethany Wilson; and great grandmother to Emma.
Fern was predeceased by her infant son Steven, brother Stan Cathrae (late Anne), sister Marg Byers (Murray), sister-in-law Ellouise Hoggard (late Maurice), brother-in-law Len Johnston, and will be remembered fondly by many nieces, nephews and their families.
Family and friends meant the world to Fern; she treasured every minute. She loved caring for others, whether it was her time as a nurse at the Owen Sound Hospital, time caring for her children and grandchildren or time preparing meals and sweets for others to enjoy. Her church family was a big part of her life, volunteering and enjoying visits and lots of laughs. Fern and Wally took great pride in their home on the 15/16 in Meaford where they raised their family since 1966. She kept herself busy and active. Fern loved to get out walking and never stopped; even when she slowed down a little, she kept moving forward.
Family will receive friends at the Ferguson Funeral Home in Meaford on Monday, June 29, 2026 from 6 until 8 p.m. A funeral service will be conducted at the Cook Street Pentecostal Church on Tuesday, June 30, 2026 at 11 o’clock with a reception following. A service of committal and interment will take place at Lakeview Cemetery in Meaford.
As your expression of sympathy, donations to the Foodgrains Bank or the Cook Street Tabernacle (Cheques Only) would be appreciated and may be made through the Ferguson Funeral Home, 48 Boucher St. E., Meaford, ON N4L 1B9 to whom arrangements have been entrusted. www.fergusonfuneralhomes.ca
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Make a donation in memory of Fern Marie Johnston
Donations: Canadian Foodgrains Bank or the Cook Street TabernacleDonate securely through Ferguson Funeral Home
Wednesday, June 24, 2026
So sorry for your loss, I will miss her visit with me. I always love her tea biscuits, she will be missed
Wednesday, June 24, 2026
Dear Family: Our sincere condolences on your Mom’s passing. She will be missed.
Wednesday, June 24, 2026
To all of ferns family Thought and prayers
To you all threw this difficult time
Had many chats laughter with Fern
Sit together in church ma y times
God bless all
Cherie
Wednesday, June 24, 2026
Your dear Mother, Fern was such a lovely, gentle lady who enriched the lives of so many people. It was a pleasure to know her. She will be missed. Thanks for letting me know Ron and Marie. My sympathies.
Wednesday, June 24, 2026
Sending our love to you Ed , and family and extended family ….. Russ & Diane Baker❤️ , Angie Baker❤️ & Hunter
Thursday, June 25, 2026
Sorry to hear about the passing of your mother. May the special memories you made together help you through this difficult time. Please accept our condolences and may our prayers help confort you.
Larry, Eleanor and Melissa Elford
Thursday, June 25, 2026
Ed, Marie and families
I want to express my thoughts and prayers to you and your families at this
time of loss of such a wonderful Mother, Grandmother and Great Grandmother.
I will always remember my wonderful neighbors as I raised my family on the 15/16.
May the memories you have hold you up at this time of loss.
Dianne, AJ and Jamie
Thursday, June 25, 2026
To Fern’s family, my sincere condolences. We finally reconnected a few years ago after meeting in our teens and finding we were cousins. Fern was a lovely person and will certainly be missed.
Thursday, June 25, 2026
Sincere sympathy to all.
Norma White
Thursday, June 25, 2026
Marie, Ron and Family,
Sending my deep condolences to you Marie and Ron, and the entire family. It’s so hard losing the ones we love, and our Moms seem to occupy a distinct place in our grief. Glad to have connected with Fern, if only for a blink. Her energy was a delight. Much love to all. Melanie.
Thursday, June 25, 2026
Our condolences to the loss of your mother and to your family . She was a very fine person .
Thursday, June 25, 2026
I’m so sorry to hear that your Mom has passed away Marie and Ron, your in my prayers.
Thursday, June 25, 2026
Marie and family, love prayers, she will missed by all
Thursday, June 25, 2026
Marie and Ed, I’m so sorry for the loss of your mom. She was a wonderful lady
Thursday, June 25, 2026
I will always treasure having been one of Fern’s nursing classmates. We missed having her join us for our reunion this month. Sending my sincere condolences to her entire family.
Thursday, June 25, 2026
Fern and I were nursing classmates many years ago. She was a wonderful friend and I will miss her. Condolences to her entire family.
Friday, June 26, 2026
Condolences to the family. Fern was such a gentle person. Wally was my mother’s cousin and Wally and Fern visited my mother many times when she was in Errinrung nursing home. After mom passed Fern and I kept in touch every Christmas with a phone call. Will miss the calls.
Friday, June 26, 2026
Marie and Family
It was a pleasure visiting with Fern, doing her footcare, many interesting conversations. RIP Fern
Saturday, June 27, 2026
My sincere sympathies to Fern’s family. Wally (my mother’s cousin) and Fern were both very kind, gentle people. I will always be very grateful to them for visiting my mother at Errinrung nursing home often.
Saturday, June 27, 2026
Our heartfelt condolences to Marie, Ron and all Fern’s family. Fern and Wally were great long term neighbours and friends to us. I will miss seeing Fern out on her walks and our chats, she always stopped to chat where-ever we met either on their property behind us or on the road. Fern was a gentle and kind soul, she will be missed greatly by everyone that loved and knew her. You now know an angel by her first name.
Saturday, June 27, 2026
I’m so sorry for your loss. Although we were only related by marriage, I will always be grateful to Aunt Fern and Uncle Wally for the way the warm welcome they gave me into the family after I married their nephew Royce. Aunt Fern always welcomed us into her home with kindness, laughter, and warm hospitality (not to mention great food). She was a model for me of everything a woman of genuine Christian character should be, something I still strive to live up to in my life. She exemplified someone who walked by the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control
(Galatians 22-23). I recently read that grief is a gift we receive to remind us of the love and memories we shared with the one we have lost. May that gift be a comfort for you, Marie and Ron, Ed and Carolyn and your families, and for all who loved Aunt Fern, even as she is mourned. May God bless you and keep you always.
Monday, June 29, 2026
My condolences to all of Ferns family,
I was privileged to work with Fern many years ago at the Co-op Nursery School in Meaford. Fern was always so gentle and calm with the children and was always supportive of everyone. I remember best her beautiful smile and her strong faith. May your memories bring you comfort at this sad time.
Jennifer Dorgelo
Wednesday, July 1, 2026
Marie and Family – we’re so sorry to hear about your mother’s passing.
Robin Gini and Matthew