Johanna Darbyson

We said our goodbyes so long ago - never thinking we'd miss each other so ....
(song by George Jones & Melba Montgomery)

Obituary

Johanna Darbyson passed peacefully on April 27, 2025 after a weekend full of family, stories, tears, blown kisses, and much love. She wouldn't have wanted it any other way. Johanna is the oldest of seven siblings, Sam (aka Edward) Darbyson (late Marion), Helen Power (late Patrick), Ena Riley (late Don), Donna Franz (Al), Percy Darbyson (Sandy), Bill Darbyson (Tina), and Jo Malone (Bob).  An incredible mother to Brian (Rochelle), Denise (Don), and Michael (late Patti). And beloved and cherished grandmother to Stephanie, Matthew (Taylor), Emma, Zoe, and Alex, and great-grandmother to the beautiful Matilda.

Johanna loved and was close with all her nieces and nephews. She was always interested in their lives, their children, and their interests. There are so many good times and wonderful and crazy memories with each of them over the years. 

Johanna's Life

Born in Toronto and growing up in Cabbagetown, Johanna shared many stories of how she would go find coal for the fire, take the streetcar for great distances at a young age on her own, and what it was like living at a time when all the women were working the men's jobs while they were at war -- and what it was like when the men came back. It was a turbulent time for everyone and there was no end to the stories and memories she had of that time. It set her up for a life of being tremendously independent, resourceful and self-reliant.

Married at the age of 19, Johanna raised three children in Guelph while going to University and obtaining a degree in English. She became a Realtor and Real Estate Appraiser for many years. After moving back to Toronto, she became a Life Coach and worked with women who had experienced intimate partner violence (also called domestic violence). She then became a Professor working for the School of Business at Centennial College teaching computers at a time when computers were really emerging and becoming necessary to the work force. She was a woman very ahead of her time, and she remained very tech savvy her whole life. 

Johanna had many interests and passions: She was an artist who loved to draw and was always trying new methods and styles of painting. She loved water colours the most. A knitter and lover of crochet - one year she made the family knitted wigs of all types. She loved to make blankets for the family, make red scarves to donate to the 'Red Scarf' HIV Awareness campaigns, and was a jewelry maker. She played Hawaiian guitar for many years, and taught her kids some amazing songs, like: "the window, the window, I'll throw you out the window, if you don't watch what you're about, I'll throw you out the window".  She was never bored by her own company, and no one was ever bored in her company because she could talk about any topic. She was so well read and interested in all things, with a strong moral and ethical core. 

Johanna loved her family, and talked to at least 1-2 if not more sisters or brothers every day. She was known for being a calm and reassuring voice when one needed it and had such a sharp wit and great sense of humour. They were a family who grew up in a difficult period of history, during difficult circumstances, and it created a very strong bond among them to this day. 

She was a mom who was always present, always available to talk, always interested in what was happening in your life. A friend. She LOVED being a grandmother, and as kids do to differentiate among grandparents, she was known to them as Grandma PK or Bauber. She spent quality time with all her grandchildren, even 'babysitting' Zoe and Alex who live in the US over video calls by playing games with them virtually so their mom could make dinner. Her grandchildren called her The Queen, and loved nothing more than to visit her for a weekend, watch old movies, do art, be spoiled by her, and love on her.


Celebration of Life
As per Johanna's wishes, cremation has taken place. A Celebration of Life will take place at a date and time not yet determined. 
The family would like to express our sincere thanks and appreciation to the amazing Palliative Care team from Bluewater Health , and the caring and wonderful staff at St. Joseph's Hospice, Sarnia. 

Gallery

Memory wall