April 10, 1946 - June 27, 2018
Karen Alwyn Johnston passed away peacefully at home, with her children by her side, on June 27, 2018. Karen was born on April 10, 1946 in Natal, BC and is predeceased by her husband, John (Jack) Johnston, her parents, Alwyn Kozler Rigets & George Rigets, and her grandson, Dalen Vissia.
Karen is survived by her daughter, Stacie Johnston (Mark Jacobson) and her son Darcy Johnston, granddaughters Chiara Vissia and Kianda Jacobson, her aunt & uncle, Henry & Ina Kozler, her sister-in-law Marlene (Johnston) Phillips Dietrich (Phil Dietrich), and an extended family of nieces, nephews and cousins, as well as many, many friends.
Karen loved her family, her friends and the ocean. Karen was an avid genealogist, and a member of the Alberni Valley Genealogy Club. She compiled extensive records of her family tree and travelled to England twice, finding one of her ancestor's homes. She was a photographer, a Royal-watcher, and a music lover. She was gentle, gracious, witty, and had the ability to make everyone around her, old, young, and in between, feel special.
She gave back to the community and the province, working for social change & against injustice. It is in this spirit of giving we are asking in lieu of flowers, you continue this for Karen by spreading random acts of kindness in your area. We would love to hear about your experiences on Karen's Facebook Page.
A small service will take place in late August (as per her wishes), date and location yet to be determined.
Karen wanted her family and friends to know how much she loved and appreciated them...
"I will be keeping your seats warm with a glass of wine at The Eternal Happy Hour."