Obit: Songwriter Vera Johnson (1920-2007)

Subject: Obit: Vera Johnson 1920- 2007
From: Leadfingers
Date: 10 Nov 07 - 03:07 PM

Just had an e mail that Vera died at 10.30 last night ! It says :-

This is to let you all know of the death of Vera Johnson who sadly passed
away yesterday, Friday, November the 9th at 10:30 pm.
Condolences can be sent to the family care of her eldest daughter Alison at
[e-mail]
The memorial service is expected to be held in Ladysmith on Saturday,
November the 24th, although this is still to be confirmed.
The British Columbia Folklore Society is still in the process of
transcribing the music from Vera's two LPs and compiling a book of her
recorded songs together with CDs of the music.
Mike Ballantyne


Secretary, BCFS
Central Saanich
November the 10th 2007

Subject: RE: Obit: Vera Johnson 1920- 2007
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 10 Nov 07 - 03:19 PM

Background PDF file.

G.

Subject: RE: Obit: Vera Johnson 1920- 2007
From: bobad
Date: 10 Nov 07 - 03:19 PM

Sad news but she leaves a lasting and inspiring legacy - thank you Vera.

Subject: RE: Obit: Vera Johnson 1920- 2007
From: Sandy Mc Lean
Date: 10 Nov 07 - 04:08 PM

R.I P.
Canada is the poorer for the loss but the richer for the legacy!

Subject: RE: Obit: Vera Johnson 1920- 2007
From: Peace
Date: 10 Nov 07 - 04:14 PM

Bless you, Vera.

Subject: RE: Obit: Vera Johnson 1920- 2007
From: Waddon Pete
Date: 10 Nov 07 - 04:45 PM

Sad news indeed, but as bobad said, what a legacy! She was an inspiration and I am privileged to have known her.

My thoughts go out to her family.

Peter

Subject: RE: Obit: Vera Johnson 1920- 2007
From: Deckman
Date: 10 Nov 07 - 05:04 PM

She was an inspiring lady. Bob

Subject: RE: Obit: Vera Johnson 1920- 2007
From: Art Thieme
Date: 10 Nov 07 - 06:54 PM

So sorry to hear of Vera's passing. Whenever I worked with her in Canada it was a treat.

Art Thieme

Subject: RE: Obit: Vera Johnson 1920- 2007
From: Susanne (skw)
Date: 10 Nov 07 - 07:32 PM

Sad news, but also, perhaps, a merciful release. I hope her family and friends will take comfort from the fact that so many people are still delighted by her work, and will be in the future.

Subject: RE: Obit: Vera Johnson 1920- 2007
From: GUEST,Sarah Marie-Ewanyshyn
Date: 11 Nov 07 - 12:13 AM

This has been a very sad day for myself and my family, and I know there will be many more tears to shed at Aunt Vera's service. I just want everybody to know how nice it is to be able to read such kind and positive words written about her.

Thank you.
Sarah Marie-Ewanyshyn
Nanaimo, B.C.

Subject: RE: Obit: Vera Johnson 1920- 2007
From: Arthur Caldicott
Date: 11 Nov 07 - 01:53 AM

Vera is probably already writing songs about the place, wherever she is.

I'd like to remind readers about two radio tributes to Vera that were done in 2007.

Rika Ruebsaat and Jon Bartlett hosted a show about Vera on CBC's North By Northwest in June.
CBC_Ruebsaat&Bartlett_VeraJohnson_20070617.mp3

Bob "The Postman" Stubbs put together a wonderful show about Vera on Eva DeFoor's Folk's Music program on CJLY, Kootenay Co-op Radio, in April.
CJLY_EvaDeFoor&BobStubbs_VeraJohnson_20070409.mp3

Subject: RE: Obit: Vera Johnson 1920- 2007
From: Bob the Postman
Date: 11 Nov 07 - 09:15 AM

"we're all part of something great . . . that's what I believe"

Thanks for reminding us in your song, Vera, and thanks for showing us in your life.

Subject: RE: Obit: Vera Johnson 1920- 2007
From: GUEST,Bob Ryszkiewicz
Date: 11 Nov 07 - 11:36 AM

Bless...

Rest in Peace...

bob

Subject: RE: Obit: Vera Johnson 1920- 2007
From: breezy
Date: 11 Nov 07 - 11:51 AM

'room to stretch right out'

My condolences to her family , though I never met her I was touched by her.

John

Subject: RE: Obit: Vera Johnson 1920- 2007
From: katlaughing
Date: 11 Nov 07 - 11:57 AM

My condolences to Vera's family and friends. What an incredible lady.

Just a reminder, it is encouraged in music threads, that we post as much information about someone like Vera, as possible. If anyone knows of a copy of the pdf file which Giok posted the link to, or has a full obituary they could post, please do so. Mudcat wants to be an archive for such things, as well as for the music.


Thanks,

kat

Subject: RE: Obit: Vera Johnson 1920- 2007
From: Waddon Pete
Date: 11 Nov 07 - 12:25 PM

....and just to remind you that there is another thread running about Vera concurrently! Do take time out to listen to the MP3s....

Best wishes,

Peter

Subject: RE: Obit: Vera Johnson 1920- 2007
From: GUEST,Sarah Marie-Ewanyshyn
Date: 11 Nov 07 - 01:40 PM

Aunt Vera's memorial service will be held at the Ladysmith Hall on Sunday November 25 at 1:30. I will post Vera's obituary when it is available.

Subject: RE: Obit: Vera Johnson 1920- 2007
From: katlaughing
Date: 11 Nov 07 - 01:47 PM

Thanks, very much, Sarah Marie. Much appreciated.

Subject: RE: Obit: Vera Johnson 1920- 2007
From: North/South Annie
Date: 11 Nov 07 - 07:29 PM

I remember enjoying her performance in Gosport area (Hampshire UK) in the 1970's. She did a song about 'A do it yourself divorce-you've got to be married of course...'and I remembered it a few years later and successfully did my own divorce! Bless you Vera! My thoughts go out to her family members at this time.

Annie

Subject: RE: Obit: Vera Johnson 1920- 2007
From: Anglo
Date: 12 Nov 07 - 02:29 AM

So sorry to hear this. My partner and I met her a couple of times at Folk Festivals (mainly Canada) and always enjoyed her songs and her company. I had been following earlier threads on her current condition and was relieved to see that she had many family and friends doing their best for her where she was. She was a dear person.

JR

Subject: RE: Obit: Vera Johnson 1920- 2007
From: Jon Bartlett
Date: 12 Nov 07 - 02:51 PM

Rika and I were very happy that we knew her. We hope the radio show did her justice.

Jon Bartlett

Subject: RE: Obit: Vera Johnson 1920- 2007
From: GUEST,Sarah Marie-Ewanyshyn
Date: 22 Nov 07 - 11:43 AM

This is to let everyone know that a video of Auntie Vera has been put on YouTube. I've placed the link below, but if that doesn't work, just search for Vera Johnson. This is a poor quality home video from our living room one Christmas. It was likely in 1981/82. My nephew posted the video, but I'm pretty sure he got the name of the song wrong, "Big bright barbie, the bouncing baby" so if somebody could provide the correct name, we will alter the name on YouTube.

Hope you enjoy seeing her perform in a very relaxed and noisy setting!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0vnjldk0N-Q