Obituary of Margaret Helen Walker Loughrin Johnston

Johnston, Margaret Helen Walker Loughrin – of Oakville, went to be with Jesus, her Saviour, on Tuesday, January 21, 2020, after a short battle with cancer.She is survived by her five children Skye (Randy) - Chloe and Luke Fulton, Langley BC; Randy (Lisa) Johnston - Lindsay (Jake) Brown - Ann Margaret, Ford, and Kitty Brown, Logan, and Jamie-Ann Johnston, Birmingham, Alabama; Judi (Ned) - Alexandra (Kian Hudson - baby boy Percy due in March), Zuri, and Sam Vankevich, Langley, BC; Carolyn (Tim) - Winston, Sarah, and Michael Cestnick, Burlington, ON; Janice (Peter) - Tori (Silas Matthys), Lincoln, Virginia, and Lewis Nikkel, Langley, BC; brother Bill Loughrin, Nepean, ON. She was predeceased by her husband of 49 years, John Burton Johnston, and her parents, Ellen and Samuel Loughrin.Born July 13, 1936, Margaret loved adventure. She stole apples from the Rockwood Sanitorium, wore her skirts too short in high school, won beauty pageants, and skipped two grades of school, graduating from GCVI in Guelph at age 15. By 18, after winning the heart of Burt Johnston, her co-worker at Orenda Engines (engine for the Avro Arrow), they married on July 23, 1955.Margaret and Burt started their life as the fifth generation to live at Silver Maples Farm in Bolton. They moved to Streetsville and opened the Streetsville IGA, which they owned for 35 years, sponsoring many sports teams as well as giving hundreds of Streetsville teens their first job.Margaret was the consummate entrepreneur. At age 9 she roped off the entrance to the woods at the end of her street in Guelph and charged admission for the neighbourhood kids to play in it! When a new company came to Canada, Margaret was often one of the first to help launch it. She had a keen mind for business, and Amway founder, Rich DeVos, presented her with the “Idea” trophy in the 60s. Margaret was one of the classiest women you’ll meet. Working as an executive with Mary Kay Cosmetics for over forty years, she earned six cars and influenced many women in business and life. Margaret was a long-time Rotarian and a charter member of the North Oakville Rotary Club and she also enjoyed her friends at the Mississauga Probus Club. Margaret was also a member of the St George Society and International Women in Leadership.Margaret loved volunteering at the ESL class at Chartwell as well as visiting seniors at nursing homes. She had a heart for missons overseas and here at home—especially welcoming International Students to our Canadian schools. She also founded Concerned Grandparents for Canada.Margaret and her family loved their local church, Calvary Baptist in Woodbridge, Streetsville Baptist, and later Charter members of Chartwell Church in Oakville. Margaret passionately lived for Jesus and she loved to share God’s love and message to everyone she met. She helped start several Christian Women’s Clubs and she taught Child Evangelism Bible Clubs, Sunday School, and was an official volunteer for Focus on the Family. Margaret passionately lived for Jesus and if you knew her, she would want you to know that you too could have a personal relationship with Jesus. Margaret’s family welcomes friends to join them at Glen Oaks Funeral Home, 316 Ninth line (at Dundas), Oakville on Friday, January 31st from 1-4 and 6-9 pm.Her Celebration of Life will be held at Compass Point Church, 1500 Kerns Road, Burlington on Saturday, February 1st at 1 pm with a visitation at 12 pm and a reception to follow. It will be live-streamed for their friends and family who live far away. (Contact the family for the link) If desired, in lieu of flowers, donations (Canadian or American) in Margaret’s name can be made to two ministries/charities that Margaret cared deeply for, that her children Skye & Judi are part of: Skye Johnston Fulton (International Students Ministry Canada) and Judi Johnston Vankevich – “The Canadian Civility Project” (MultiNation Ministries “The Civility Project.” Mom also loved 100 Huntley Street, Trinity Western University, and the Yonge Street Mission.