MCKENZIE, Johanna
Posted: July 3rd, 2025
McKenzie, Johanna Tina March 7, 1938 – June 28, 2025 Johanna McKenzie, born on March 7, 1938 in Coaldale, Alberta, died on Saturday June 28, 2025 in Perth, Ontario.
Born Johanna Tina Willms, Jo was the daughter of Abram and Susanna, German-speaking Mennonite immigrant farmers who had settled in Alberta. She was the second-youngest of 11 children – Jake, Abe, Susie, Helen, Mary, Henry, Ann, Margaret, David and Betty. Of her siblings, all but Ann of Surrey, B.C. have predeceased her.
While at teacher’s college in the late 1960s, Jo met her future husband and best friend, Colin, a gangly, smart and quirky Scottish Canadian. They married in 1968 and expanded each other’s worlds, raising three children – Glenn, Paula and Greg. Jo was devastated when Colin died of cancer in 2002.
Johanna is sadly missed by five grandsons – Kai, Grady, Colin, Rowan and Matthew and many nieces, nephews and other relatives.
She regularly attended the Brooks United Church and later St. Paul’s United Church in Perth. Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to any of the many charities Jo supported. She was devoted to helping children in need, building peace, protecting nature and cancer research. Some of the organizations she regularly contributed to included: Project Ploughshares, The Canadian Foodgrains Bank and CAUSE Canada. Lanark Lodge, where she lived during her final months, also accepts contributions.
Condolences can be sent to www.blairandson.com