Agnes Johnson

It is with heavy hearts we announce the death of Agnes Louise (Campbell) Johnson on April 18, 2021 at the age of 82, at Hotel Dieu St. Joseph Hospital Perth-Andover, New Brunswick. Born May 9, 1938 in Stellarton, NS, Agnes was the youngest child of Stella Marie (Young) and John Joseph Campbell. She is survived by her loving husband of 54 years, Blair; her son Alan(Al) of Scottsdale, Arizona; daughter Marie of Plaster Rock, NB; her sister-in-law Dorothy in Ontario as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and adopted family. She was predeceased by her parents; her 8 brothers and sisters; Mary, Angus, Donnie, Emma, Jimmy, Malcolm, Raymond and Rodderick.

Agnes was a woman of many talents. Her faith called her to be an active member in her church community, where she served as elder, most notably on worship committee, where she had the opportunity to deliver many a meaningful message to congregants in the absence of a minister. She sang in the choir for many years, and had a beautiful soprano voice, that she shared shyly, but proudly on many a Sunday morning. She scaled back in recent years, but her faith never wavered, remaining strong to the end. She participated in plays, cantatas, and many other fund-raising campaigns, believing that we are called to have a giving heart. She volunteered with the breakfast program at Donald Fraser Elementary School, giving it up only grudgingly due to declining health. She also volunteered at the Tobique Valley Manor, calling bingo, singing songs, holding church services, drawing out the shy and confused alike giving them a sense of home in what can be a scary setting. Continuing in this vein, her empathy knew no bounds. She sat with a number of palliative patients over the years, from sibling, to friends and to congregants at St. Andrews United Church Plaster Rock, praying, singing, telling stories, holding hands, whatever she could to ease a passing and offer comfort to those left behind.

As a parent she was strong, strict, loving, comforting, supportive, she was a guide, mentor, and best friend all rolled into one. She welcomed all her children’s friends making them members of the family. She could be a protective momma bear on minute, strict disciplinarian the next and then telling inappropriate jokes the next. Her quick wit made her the life of the party, and her compassionate shoulder to cry on endeared her to many. She was fearless, and would try anything just once, not worrying about embarrassing herself if it would put a smile on someone’s face.
A member of the Girls Guides of Canada as a girl, Agnes didn’t hesitate when Marie’s Girl Guide Company was short a leader to jump in and become a leader. When Marie passed from Guides to Pathfinders Agnes became the first Pathfinder leader and stayed for several years, after Marie received her Canada Cord Agnes retired from Guiding.

Perhaps the strongest part of her character was seen in the dedication she had to the love of her life, Blair. Times were not always easy, but she believed marriage was an ever-evolving thing. It required work and was meant to be for life. She thought of Blair and her children first, and herself last. She was the glue that held the family together, through the good, and the bad, and was larger than life, though she never cracked 5 feet tall.

A memorial service celebrating Agnes' life will be held on Monday, May 24, 2021 at 1 pm from the Tobique Chapel in Plaster Rock. Mr. Kenneth Campbell officiating. Interment will follow in Burntland Brook Cemetery.

Due to the Covid-19 restrictions, a maximum of 60 people are allowed in the chapel at any given time and masks are mandatory.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Brunswick Funeral Home, Perth-Andover, NB.