Fern Dorothy Johnstone

Fern Dorothy Johnstone (née Williams) was born on July 13, 1949, in the small town of Telegraph Creek, BC and passed away peacefully, surrounded by loved ones on July 10, 2023, in Whistle Bend Place, Whitehorse, Yukon. Fern was a proud Crow Clan member of the Tahltan Nation. Fern’s parents were John and Mary Williams. Her mom belonged to the Crow clan and dad to the Wolf clan. She was the second youngest in a large family.

Fern spent her childhood years living in Telegraph Creek, Cassiar, and Fort St. John, BC. Eventually Fern made her way back north. She lived and worked in Ross River and Watson Lake, Yukon.

Fern met John in 1968 and they were married in Ross River in 1974. They raised two beautiful sons, Kevin and Michael.

In 1986 the family relocated to Whitehorse where Fern transferred as a Remedial Tutor to Whitehorse Elementary. Her love of teaching inspired her to attend the Yukon First Nation Education Program where after 4 years of dedication and perseverance she attained her Bachelor of Education in 1993 with distinction. Fern loved teaching and cared deeply for all her students. She retired in 2013 from Elijah Smith Elementary School. Fern made lifelong friends and had an incredible support network of colleagues and friends. Fern and John moved to Vancouver Island after retirement where they had spent many summers with their sons growing up.

Fern’s other interests included curling and golfing.  She attended many curling bonspiels with John and friends. Fern enjoyed watching curling.

Fern was predeceased by her mother Mary, father John, son Michael, sisters Mae, Shirley, and Lillian, and brothers Murphy and Ron.

Fern is survived by her husband John, son Kevin (Loralee), sister Mable, brother Hank, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Fern will be remembered for her dedication to family and her love of Christmas and teaching. She was a loving mother, wife, teacher, and friend. She will be forever remembered by those she impacted in her caring and thoughtful way.

Fern will be ‘Dancing in the Sky’ with many family members and friends.

Until We Meet Again.

Interment will take place at Grey Mountain Cemetery at a future date.

The family would like to sincerely thank the incredible staff at House 4 of Whistle Bend Place (WBP) for the amazing care they provided Fern. We would also like to thank those family and friends who made time to visit and reconnect with her while she was in WBP. We know it meant the world to her. Fern’s memory will live on, and she will be forever in our hearts.